Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Evansville?

Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Anchorage, AK's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Evansville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $31,000 in Evansville.

Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Evansville?

Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Anchorage vs Evansville Cost of Living 2026

Anchorage

Alaska

$1,320/mo est.

Evansville

Indiana

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Anchorage, AK versus $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anchorage, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,152 in Anchorage, AK and $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 47% higher in Anchorage, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Anchorage, AK

Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio

$1,001

$741

+26% in Anchorage, AK

1 Bedroom

$1,052

$768

+27% in Anchorage, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,433

$1,022

+29% in Anchorage, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,952

$1,167

+40% in Anchorage, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$375,900

$129,100

+66% in Anchorage, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$98,152

$52,251

+47% in Anchorage, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,200

$46,540

+23% in Anchorage, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.1 yr

+3.2 yr in Evansville, IN

Homeownership

63.7%

53.9%

+9.8 pp in Anchorage, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

22.3%

+15.4 pp in Anchorage, AK

Avg Commute

19.0 min

18.7 min

+0.3 min in Anchorage, AK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,016.5

1,210.5

+19% in Evansville, IN

Property Crime

2,796.2

3,716.2

+33% in Evansville, IN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

37.4°F

56.4°F

+19.0°F in Evansville, IN

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

45.3 in

+27.4 in in Evansville, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Anchorage, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

18.1

+36% in Anchorage, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.40

$13.70

+5% in Anchorage, AK

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Anchorage, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Anchorage, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Evansville, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Anchorage, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Evansville, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anchorage, AK

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / IN)

None

+7.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

2.95%

+3.0 pp in IN

Anchorage vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Evansville?: Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Anchorage, AK's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Evansville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $31,000 in Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Evansville?: Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).