Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Anchorage | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $98,514 | $90,338 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $70,596 | $69,250 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.7% | 2.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 17.6% | 15.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Anchorage is about 9% higher than in Alaska. Income has been growing slower in Anchorage (2.7%/yr) than in Alaska (2.8%/yr).
About 18% of adults in Anchorage earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Alaska average of 16%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Anchorage, Alaska grew by 40.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $98,514 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Anchorage | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Anchorage | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.525 | 0.540 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $74,567 | $73,954 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $65,892 | $63,633 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.6% | 14.0% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Anchorage, it is 0.525, lower than Alaska's 0.540, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 13% more than women's income in Anchorage, Alaska. Over a 35-year career, a 13% wage gap accumulates to roughly $303,625 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Anchorage, Alaska has narrowed from about 24% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,151 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Anchorage | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.6% | 8.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 6,804 people are unemployed in Anchorage, Alaska.
The average commute time in Anchorage is 17 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Alaska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Anchorage, Alaska has fallen from 6.8% to 4.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Anchorage, Alaska has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Alaska, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Anchorage, Alaska.
How Wealthy Is Anchorage, Alaska?
Anchorage has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $98,514, about 9% higher than the Alaska average of $90,338.
What is the current median household income in Anchorage, Alaska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Anchorage, Alaska is $98,514.
What was the median household income in Anchorage in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Anchorage, Alaska was $98,514.
What was the median household income in Anchorage in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Anchorage, Alaska was $85,532.
What is the Gini coefficient in Anchorage, Alaska?
The Gini coefficient in Anchorage is 0.525. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Anchorage, Alaska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Anchorage, Alaska has narrowed from about 24% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,151 since 2009.