UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
Anchorage, AK is the #23 Best City to Live in the USA
| Anchorage, AK Quality of Life Liv Score 637 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 43 |
| Demographics | 59 |
| Economy | 68 |
| Education | 58 |
| Health | 55 |
| Housing | 47 |
| Infrastructure | 73 |
| Amenities | 72 |
Why Anchorage is one of the best cities to live in
Millions of people travel to Alaska every year for once-in-a-lifetime vacations. But the nearly 290,000 residents who are lucky enough to call Anchorage, AK, home get to enjoy the exclusive Alaskan way of life year-round – things like watching the Northern Lights dazzle the night sky, catching king salmon from the rivers or seeing moose munch their way through parks.
Glaciers, mountain ranges, and trails are among the Anchorage amenities that inspire adventure among the city’s residents, making it one of the best places to live in the U.S. But Alaska’s largest city is also home to lots of creatives who have helped shape a fantastic arts and culture scene. Anchorage also earns an ”A” for infrastructure. Traffic is light, which cuts down on commute time (unless, of course, there’s a moose crossing)!
Military, aviation, communications, health care and education are the major industries here.
University of Alaska – Anchorage
In the winter, high temps are in the mid-20s, and there’s lots of snow on the ground. During summertime, you can expect temperatures in the low 70s.
Stay up past your bedtime to witness (and photograph) the Northern Lights. Peak aurora borealis viewing in Anchorage happens from September to April.
Anchorage, AK is Remote-Ready
Not only does Anchorage have plenty of coworking spaces for residents to hunker down and hustle in — The Boardroom, Alaska Co:Work and Coco Hub, just to name a few — but it’s also a great place to have a pet! It can be hard to give four-legged loved ones the attention they deserve even when working from home, but Anchorage has tons of dog-walking and pet-sitter options available. And with lots of open space and surrounding nature, it’s a perfect place to unplug with some much-needed R&R after a hard day of screen staring.
What Locals Love in Anchorage, AK
The Writer’s Block Bookstore and Cafe is a community gathering space for Anchorage’s art-loving residents. Poetry and live music are performed at the bookstore, which doubles as a beer and wine bar.
Learn all about Alaska and the Circumpolar North at the Anchorage Museum stocked with historical photographs, art, and cultural and historical heritage items.
Bike or walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile paved path that traces the shore of Cook Inlet from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. You’ll get a glimpse of coastal marshes and forested hills. If you‘re lucky, eagles are known to make cameos along the trail.
Shoot pool, throw darts or belt out some karaoke tunes at The Carousel Lounge, a local institution.
During the summer solstice, Anchorage gets 22 hours of sunlight.
Spectacular scenery, easy access to outdoor adventure, and a fantastic arts and culture scene make Anchorage a best place to live in Alaska.
Thinking of Moving to Anchorage?
If you ever wanted to live within a state park, Anchorage, AK real estate is the market for you. Homes for sale in Anchorage, AK attract newcomers looking to join the creative, close-knit community that is Anchorage. Local real estate agents like to direct home buyers to the South Addition neighborhood, which has lots of unique, midcentury homes and nature trails to explore.
Quick Facts About Anchorage, AK
- Average Commute
- 16.67
- Median Home Value
- $355,073
- Med. Household Income
- $87,392
- Total Population
- 287,322
- Median Property Tax
- $4,266
