Anchorage vs Durham: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Anchorage, Alaska compare to Durham, North Carolina? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Durham is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 15% higher in Anchorage compared to Durham, while rent is 8% higher. AK has no state income tax.
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Durham, NC | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $363,800 | $316,600 | +14.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405 | $1,296 | +8.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 | $74,710 | +28.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,554 | $44,012 | +5.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 4.5% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 1.8% | 7.0% | -74.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 290,674 | 284,094 | +2.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Anchorage
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Durham
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Anchorage costs $363,800 compared to $316,600 in Durham — a 15% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,405/mo in Anchorage vs $1,296/mo in Durham.
- Income: Median household income is $95,731 in Anchorage and $74,710 in Durham.
- Taxes: Alaska has no state income tax, while North Carolina has a 4.5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).