Alaska to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 3,247 mile interstate move from Alaska to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (cabin & rustic vs colonial & craftsman), 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 Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Arkansas is 24.45% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Top Alaska to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

B2 Moving
Best moving company overall for Alaska to Arkansas
Elite Moving

The Moving Man
Alaska to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Arkansas
- Harsh winters
- Remote locations
- Higher cost of living
- Limited road access
- Expensive flights
- Milder winters
- Better connectivity
- Affordability
- Extensive road networks
- Cheaper travel options
- Less dramatic landscapes
- Fewer wildlife experiences
- Fewer extreme sports
- Shorter summer days
- Fewer local festivals
- Breathtaking scenery
- Unique wildlife
- Adventure activities
- Midnight sun
- Until more Juneau festivals
Pros of moving from Alaska to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Arkansas with better connectivity
- Swap the higher cost of living in Alaska for affordability in Arkansas
- Get ready for extensive road networks in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Alaska to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from breathtaking scenery in Alaska to live with less dramatic landscapes in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle for the con of fewer wildlife experiences
- Time to bid farewell to adventure activities and get used to fewer extreme sports in Arkansas
- Swap the midnight sun for shorter summer days
Alaska vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Salmon Jerky | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Salads | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Salmon Jerky, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Berry Salads they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, Orso, and Glacier BrewHouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Whole Hog CafΓ©, and Southern Food Company.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Arkansas
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin & Rustic | Colonial & Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, Privacy | Family-friendly neighborhoods, Access to amenities |
- The Cabin and Rustic architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly neighborhoods and access to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arkansas is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arkansas is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Arkansas has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Arkansas housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 65% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Arkansas is 24.45% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Arkansas
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60-80 / 40-55 | 80-95 / 65-75 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 0-30 / -20-10 | 40-50 / 20-30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 45% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Arkansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 20 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 40 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 28 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Arkansas
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 2% - 5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Visible | Less Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 37% less than in Alaska
- The COLI in Arkansas is 32% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to AR, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% - 5.5%
- The affluence in Arkansas is low compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Alaska and less visible in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican | Majority Republican |
Local Politics | Local issues often trump national politics | Strong emphasis on state policy |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Highly religious, predominantly Christian |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as majority Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Arkansas
Comparison | Alaska | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rogers Park Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Pearl Creek Elementary (Fairbanks) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Ryan Middle School (Fairbanks) | Lisa Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Harrison Middle School (Little Rock) Fulbright Jr. High School (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Service High School (Anchorage) | Haas Hall Academy (Bentonville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) | Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Cook Inlet Academy (Soldotna) | Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) Harding Academy (Searcy) |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Little Rock School District |