Performance
Score Breakdown
Tampa
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tampa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tampa's average rent is
14% higher than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Tampa | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,583 | +14% |
| Groceries | $552 | $623 | -11% |
| Utilities | $294 | $409 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $350 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $3,016 | $3,165 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tampa offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tampa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tampa is estimated at
$70,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Tampa | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,000 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $84,114 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tampa | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Tampa.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tampa | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 31.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Anchorage.
From a growth perspective, Tampa 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 | Tampa | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 419,635 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.47% | % |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
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.
Tampa
#9Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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