Performance
Score Breakdown
Northport
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Northport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Anchorage.
| Metric | Northport | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,583 | +6% |
| Groceries | $450 | $623 | -28% |
| Utilities | $250 | $409 | -39% |
| Transport | $150 | $350 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,784 | $3,165 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Northport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Northport is estimated at
$45,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Northport | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,414 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,051 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $80,913 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Northport | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Northport.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Northport | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 27.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Northport | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,714 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | % |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 13% less than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Northport ranks in the 68th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than a majority of U.S. cities.
The city boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
The historic downtown district offers a vibrant arts scene, unique shops, and diverse dining experiences.
Drawbacks
Northport exhibits high car dependency, with limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a slight decline in overall employment at a rate of -0.243% from 2023 to 2024.
While generally safe, Northport's crime rate is higher than average when compared to other communities of similar population sizes.
Specific data for certain cost breakdowns, like monthly transit passes and home purchase price per square foot, are not readily available for recent years.
The walkability score of 27 indicates that most daily errands require a car.
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.
Northport
#9Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$44,414
Cost Index
87
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
76
Business
60
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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