Performance
Score Breakdown
Florence
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Florence's average rent is
25% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Florence | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,195 | $1,583 | -25% |
| Groceries | $550 | $623 | -12% |
| Utilities | $344 | $409 | -16% |
| Transport | $323 | $350 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $126 | $200 | -37% |
| Monthly Total | $2,538 | $3,165 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Florence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Florence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Florence | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,838 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,407 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $52,174 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Florence | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Florence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Florence | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Florence.
From a growth perspective, Florence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Florence | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,097 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.21% | % |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is 16.8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with the median home price at $235,000 in May 2026, which is 49% lower than the national average.
Florence experienced a strong employment growth rate of 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time is relatively short at 18.7 minutes.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and access to outdoor activities along the Tennessee River.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Florence is 25% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 75% higher.
Florence has a low Walk Score of 32, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Public transit options are limited, contributing to the city's car-dependent nature.
A significant portion of major roads and highways in the Florence area are in poor or mediocre condition.
The unemployment rate for Florence specifically was not readily available in recent data.
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Florence
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,195
Avg Salary
$41,838
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.21%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
Anchorage
#14Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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