Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Anchorage to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Anchorage has a higher median household income ($103,284) than Phoenix ($81,332), but Phoenix has higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs. $1,489) and home value ($420,700 vs. $395,900). Anchorage residents have a shorter estimated one-way commute (20 minutes vs. 28 minutes). Phoenix applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Anchorage’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption applied equally to both cities. These factors reflect trade-offs in affordability, income, commute time, and tax treatment, but no universal winner is declared as suitability depends on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → AnchorageMoving from Anchorage to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$93/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$1,116 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day
Difference of ~67 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTANC → PHX
53/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$8,468after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Anchorage is about $1,116 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Anchorage household income$103,284
Phoenix household income$81,332
Anchorage gross rent$1,489
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Anchorage | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 288,976 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $103,284 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,489 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $395,900 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Anchorage and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Estimated one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax reference in calculator
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
What each city wins
Anchorage
Median household income of $103,284.. Watch a 20-minute derived commute against citywide housing costs..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has a higher median household income according to the 2024 ACS?
Anchorage has a higher median household income at $103,284 compared to Phoenix’s $81,332, based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates from Table B19013.
How do the commute times compare between the two cities?
Anchorage has a shorter estimated one-way commute of 20 minutes, while Phoenix’s is 28 minutes, both derived from weighted midpoints in the 2024 ACS Table B08303.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.