Alaska to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 3,567 mile interstate move from Alaska to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme cold vs mild winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (cabin/log vs antebellum/colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to King Crab and Reindeer Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Alabama is 15.38% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Alaska to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Alabama
- Extreme cold
- Long, dark winters
- Remote locations
- Limited road access
- High cost of living
- Mild winters
- Abundant sunshine
- Proximity to major cities
- Extensive highways
- Affordable lifestyle
- Humidity and heat
- Fewer wild adventures
- Extreme weather events
- Heavier traffic
- Limited seafood variety
- Natural beauty
- Wildlife experiences
- Northern lights
- Friendly communities
- Fresh seafood
Pros of moving from Alaska to Alabama
- Say goodbye to extreme cold and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from long, dark winters and moving to Alabama with abundant sunshine
- Swap the remote locations of Alaska for proximity to major cities in Alabama
- Get ready for extensive highways in Alabama
Cons of moving from Alaska to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Alaska to live with humidity and heat in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of wildlife experiences and have to settle for the con of fewer wild adventures
- Time to bid farewell to the northern lights and get used to extreme weather events in Alabama
- Swap friendly communities for heavier traffic
Alaska vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Halibut Fish Tacos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Cobbler | Black-Eyed Peas and Greens |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alaska to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Halibut Fish Tacos, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Berry Cobbler they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Peas and Greens of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, Snow City CafΓ©, and Orso. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Alabama
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin/Log | Antebellum/Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Scenery | Historical Landmarks |
- The Cabin/Log architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum/Colonial architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historical landmarks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Alabama is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Alabama has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Alabama housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 70% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Alabama is 15.38% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Alabama
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Snowstorms, Earthquakes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 90Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 57Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 inches | 53 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 inches | 1 inch |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Alabama. Alabama gets 42% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Alabama has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and earthquakes in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 30 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 47 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 31 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Alabama
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2%-5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Automotive, Farming, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Average | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Limited |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 32% less than in Alaska
- The COLI in Alabama will be 31% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to AL, you'll now have a state income tax of 2%-5%
- The affluence in Alabama is varied compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Alabama compared to average poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Alaska and limited in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Alabama
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative, mixed representation in Congress | Strongly conservative, predominant Republican representation |
Local Politics | Mix of liberal and conservative municipalities | Conservative strongholds in local governance |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated overall | Highly religious, predominantly Christian (Example Church) |
- Alaska tends to lean conservative with mixed representation in Congress in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative with predominant Republican representation
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian (Example Church)
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated overall
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Alabama
Comparison | Alaska | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Scenic Park Elementary School - Anchorage | Mountain Brook Elementary - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills Elementary West - Vestavia Hills Cherokee Bend Elementary - Mountain Brook |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Mountain Brook Junior High - Mountain Brook Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills Pizitz Middle School - Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | Mountain Brook High School - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills High School - Vestavia Hills Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School - Montgomery |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage | The Altamont School - Birmingham Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Village Saint James School - Montgomery |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage | Montgomery Academy - Montgomery The Altamont School - Birmingham Randolph School - Huntsville |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
Top Alaska to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.