CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Anchorage, AK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Abilene is significantly cheaper than Anchorage — 16.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $93,300 in Anchorage. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+48.9%
Abilene
73.8
Anchorage
109.9
🛒 Groceries+14.4%
Abilene
93.8
Anchorage
107.3
🚗 Transportation+7.3%
Abilene
101.1
Anchorage
108.5
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Abilene
91.4
Anchorage
98.2
Utilities+37.7%
Abilene
81.2
Anchorage
111.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Anchorage to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Anchorage, AK
$93,300
$13,300 more needed in Anchorage

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.1659. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Anchorage has 48.9% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.