I would opt for Anaheim as the better place to live between Anaheim and Anchorage. Anaheim is famous for Disneyland. But aside from this park, it is also more livable. Anaheim also has better weather than Anchorage.
One of these is the tourism industry’s impact on the environment. Of course, Anaheim has downfalls. But Anchorage has a lot of cons compared to Anaheim.
Anaheim’s weather is harsh, especially during winter. It is also expensive to own a home here.
Also, the traffic is terrible. The crimes in Anchorage are also higher compared to Anaheim.
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What are the pros and cons of Anaheim vs. Anchorage?
Aside from Disneyland in Anaheim, the city also has better weather than Anchorage. It is also more livable. The crimes are also lower.
Anaheim is popular as the home of Disneyland. The city is a popular tourist destination. But aside from the city being such, it is also a livable city.
If you plan to relocate to Anaheim, you should at least know what makes it a fantastic city.
First off, the crimes are lower. The weather here is also more excellent.
But aside from the pros, there are downfalls. One of these concerns is overcrowding.
Aside from that, there is also a concern about the city’s tourism industry negatively impacting the environment.
Despite these, Anaheim is still a great city.
Read on and find out more.
Anaheim Living
You can love many things in Anaheim, from the weather to outdoor activities.
Pros
Below are the advantages to living in Anaheim
- A Great Weather
- Livable
- Crime Rates
Geographically, Anaheim is on the southern coast of California.
Its geographical location is why the city enjoys excellent weather all year round. This Mediterranean climate gives Anaheim residents temperatures around the 60s from December until March.
From April until June, the temperatures can be in the lower 70s. And from July until August, the temperatures can go up to the 80s.
There is little rainfall all year round.
Temperatures can be at around 74 degrees on average.
Such fabulous weather allows Anaheim residents enough opportunities to be out and about. There are different activities that you, as a resident, can do.
And it is just amazing that you have the weather to lean on almost all year round. You know the weather will always cooperate.
The livability in Anaheim is higher than the average. The rating includes significant data points and factors.
Together with education, crime, and cost of living, these variables all determine a city’s standard and quality of life.
Also, the overall happiness level affects the livability of a city.
As of this writing, Anaheim has a score of 66/100 in terms of livability.
The city ranks 47th among cities across the US.
In Anaheim, the crime rates are lower than most of its neighbors. The residents here feel safer compared to the residents of neighboring cities.
If you want to move to Anaheim, you would rarely think about crimes and your safety. Because in Anaheim, more than 50% of the population feels safe.
Crimes should never be a primary concern.
Cons
Not everything in Anaheim is rosy. It also has a few problems that its residents have to deal with.
Here they are.
- Overcrowded
- Environmental Impact
- Anchorage Living
The city of Anaheim is part of Orange County.
Orange County is a populated county.
And adding to the equation is the fact that Anaheim is a tourist destination. As such, residents compete when it comes to essential goods and services. It appears that the overcrowding of the city results in more demand for almost anything in Anaheim.
Aside from the demand, the overcrowded city also has a negative impact on the traffic in the town.
The city is car-dependent, and this is no help at all.
If you are commuting, this is a hurdle you have to go through.
There is a connection between the population density of a city and its quality of life.
But it is always essential to remember that a city’s population density can also affect the environment.
Over the years, the tourists that come and go to Anaheim contributed to the worsening population the city is seeing.
Air pollution has been in decline over the past few years. But despite the decrease, the air pollution levels are still higher than acceptable.
Living in Anchorage has many advantages like cultural activity and the absence of sales tax.
On the other hand, you could expect harsh winters and high crime rates.
Pros
Here are a few benefits of living in Anchorage.
- Culture
- Taxes
- A Younger Population
Anchorage is one of the state’s oldest cities.
Thanks to its horde of indigenous people, it is also home to about 20 languages.
A massive chunk of the city’s culture got its influence from the traditions of the First Nations people. Such include hunting, crafting, and whaling.
Many artists and musicians also call Anchorage home. The city has a thriving creative population.
In Anchorage, you will find the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It is this center that hones crafts and talents like dancing.
Alaska has no sales tax. There is also no state income tax.
And this is a significant advantage to those who want to relocate to Anchorage.
The young demographic of Anchorage has a median age of 33 years old.
It only means that the city sees a younger population than the older.
The city will eventually see benefits like improving skills with the younger generation’s involvement. There is also an improvement in knowledge, health, and overall well-being.
A city with a younger population can also provide better and more effective services.
Cons
Naturally, there are downsides to Anchorage that you should know.
Here are a few of them.
- The Cost of Home Ownership
- The weather
Earlier, I specified an advantage that could get you excited to live in Anchorage. That advantage was the absence of specific taxes in the state.
What you have to know, however, is that in Anchorage, the cost of owning a home is expensive.
Homeownership in Anchorage is more expensive compared to other cities in Alaska.
It could be for other reasons. But the most apparent cause of all is the limited real estate available in the city.
We all know Alaska to be cold, especially during winters.
As such, I think you would have already expected Anchorage to have harsher winters compared to other cities.
What Anchorage has is an Arctic climate.
The winters are long and cold.
The summers are short and cool.
The sun does not show up at all for many weeks during winter. And during summers, the sun can be up and about for the whole day (and night) for many weeks.
Aside from the temperature, you have to get used to it when in Anchorage.
Anchorage or Anaheim – Which is cheaper?
When it comes to the overall cost of living, Anchorage is cheaper than Anaheim. Anaheim is 52.2% more expensive than the US average. Anchorage is 23.5% more expensive than the national average. Anaheim’s high cost of housing is the culprit for such costs.
| Living Expenses | Anaheim | Anchorage |
| Housing | 257.1 | 144.6 |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5 | 122.3 |
| Health | 95.9 | 111.8 |
| Utilities | 97.4 | 108.1 |
| Transportation | 118 | 104.6 |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
>100 means more than the national average
<100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing/Rent
Let us first start with housing and rental costs.
One of the most obvious differences between the two cities is the cost of housing.
Anchorage may have an expensive housing cost. But Anaheim is more costly compared to Anchorage.
And yes, this budget aspect is why Anaheim is more expensive than Anchorage overall.
The rest of the costs in Anaheim are lower compared to Anchorage. But in housing costs, Anaheim is 157.1% more expensive than the national average.
On the other hand, Anchorage is 44.6% more expensive than the national average housing costs.
The difference says it all. The variance between the two cities in housing and rental costs is more than 100%
Utility Costs
When it comes to utility costs, Anaheim is cheaper than Anchorage.
As of this writing, Anaheim’s utility costs are cheaper than the national average by 2.6%. On the other hand, Anchorage has utility costs that are more expensive than the national average. It is more expensive by 8.1%.
Talking of utility costs, we mean the costs of electricity, heating, garbage disposal, and the like.
And these are essential costs that should always be part of your budget.
Anaheim is much cheaper than Anchorage in this aspect.
Food and Groceries
Now, this is a deal-breaker.
First off, both cities are more expensive than the national average for food and groceries. But one thing you should note is that Anaheim is cheaper than Anchorage by about 19%.
Anaheim is more expensive than the national average by 2.5% for food and groceries. On the other hand, Anchorage is more costly than the national average by 22.3%.
While both cities are more expensive than the national average, it is safe to say that Anaheim beats Anchorage in this aspect.
Transportation Costs
Both cities are more expensive than the national average regarding transportation costs.
Anaheim, however, is more expensive compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage is only 4.6% more expensive than the national average. On the other hand, Anaheim is 18% more expensive than the US average.
The difference is glaring.
And this part of your budget is essential. Because how else are you going to go from Point A to Point B without gas or without commuting?
Healthcare
Anaheim is still cheaper than Anchorage when it comes to the cost of healthcare.
It is an obvious fact.
Just look at the costs of medicines and professional doctor’s fees. You would highly likely spend less when in Anaheim between the two cities.
The cost of healthcare is cheaper in Anaheim than the national average by 4.1%. On the other hand, Anchorage is more expensive than the national average by 11.8%.
The cost of healthcare matters.
Do not take this aspect of your budget for granted.
Is Anchorage bigger than Anaheim?
In terms of land area, Anchorage is bigger than Anaheim. Anchorage has a land area of 1,706 square miles. Anaheim’s land area is 50.3 square miles.
Despite its size, Anchorage has fewer people compared to Anaheim. Such a number can also correlate to the city’s population density which we will discuss later.
As of the end of 2021, Anchorage has a population of 280,400. On the other hand, Anaheim will have 349,000 residents by the end of 2021.
Because of this, Anchorage has a lesser population density than Anaheim.
The population density of Anchorage is 164 people per square mile. Anaheim’s population density is at 6,949 people per square mile.
Is Anchorage safer than Anaheim?
Both cities have high crime rates. But comparing the two, the crime rates in Anchorage are higher. In a nutshell, people in Anaheim feel safer than those in Anchorage.
First of all, is the crime index.
Anchorage’s crime index is much higher than Anaheim’s. Anaheim is at 46.76, while Anchorage is at 62.27.
The numbers speak that people in Anaheim generally feel safer than those in Anchorage.
Also, in the past three years, Anaheim saw an increase in crimes of about 59.72%. Anchorage, however, saw a rise of 74.62%.
Most crimes in Anaheim are at moderate levels. But if there are crimes in high percentages, these are property crimes like vandalism and theft. Anaheim has its numbers sitting at 61.11%
I know this is a large percentage. But looking at Anchorage, you could say that you will be safer in Anaheim. Anchorage has a higher number which is 71.74%.
The same is true with other types of crimes. A different kind of crime is that which has a relation to drug use.
Anaheim is at 69.12% with this type of crime. Anchorage, however, is at 82.58%, which is a number that should worry you if you are planning to move here.
It is now safe to declare that you will be safer in Anaheim than in Anchorage.
Is Anaheim better than Anchorage?
Anaheim is better than Anchorage in many ways. You only have to think of the crime rates. Anaheim is safer than Anchorage. It has excellent weather, too!
Choosing between the two cities is easy.
It would help if you only considered your safety.
True, Anaheim may be more expensive than Anchorage. But this is only with the overall cost of living. Most items I discussed earlier are cheaper in Anaheim than in Anchorage.
Anaheim needs to work on its housing costs, which I mentioned earlier as the culprit. All others are relatively cheaper in Anaheim compared to Anchorage.
Plus, on a positive note, Anaheim has Disneyland.
Who wouldn’t want that?
Let me know what you think.