Alaska to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 3,490 mile interstate move from Alaska to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like King Crab vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (cabin/lodge vs federal and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to King Crab and Reindeer sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Mumbo sauce on chicken
- DC housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in DC is 37.75% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Alaska to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to DC
- Harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited job market
- High cost of goods
- Milder climate
- Urban amenities
- Career opportunities
- Competitive pricing
- Urban congestion
- Higher cost of living
- Busy atmosphere
- Limited green space
- Natural beauty
- Fresh seafood
- Peaceful lifestyle
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Alaska to DC
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to DC with urban amenities
- Swap the limited job market of Alaska for career opportunities in DC
- Get ready for competitive pricing in DC
Cons of moving from Alaska to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Alaska to live with urban congestion in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of fresh seafood and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to a peaceful lifestyle and get used to a busy atmosphere in DC
- Swap outdoor activities for limited green space
Alaska vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer sausage | Mumbo sauce on chicken |
Most popular street food item | Smoked salmon quesadilla | Food truck tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Wild berry cobbler | Impossible burger |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Smoked Salmon Quesadilla, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce on chicken and food truck tacos 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 Impossible Burger of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, The Homestead Restaurant, and Merrill Field Inn. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rosa's Thai Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and DC
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin/Lodge | Federal and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Privacy | Proximity to Metro, Rooftop Decks |
- The Cabin/Lodge architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- DC housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Alaska with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in DC have increased by 29% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in DC is 37.75% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and DC
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60-80Β°F / 40-55Β°F | 87Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 0-30Β°F / -20-15Β°F | 47Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" (varies greatly by region) | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" (varies greatly by region) | 15.4" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to DC. DC gets 35% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- DC 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 hurricanes and winter storms in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 27 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows in DC are 50 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and DC
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.18% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Government, Education, Public Policy |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Medium |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 15% more than in Alaska
- The COLI in DC is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to DC, you'll now have a state income tax of 4%
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is medium in DC compared to low in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alaska and high in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. DC
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Strongly liberal |
Local Politics | Focus on resource management and individual rights | Emphasis on civil liberties and social issues |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant number of people with no religious affiliation | Christian majority, but more diverse religious representation |
- Alaska tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as a Christian majority but with more diverse religious representation
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant number of people having no religious affiliation
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to DC
Comparison | Alaska | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Pacific University University of Alaska Fairbanks | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Chugach Optional Elementary School (Anchorage) | Janney Elementary School (Washington) Mann Elementary (Washington) Eaton Elementary School (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Rommig Middle School (Anchorage) Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) Stuart-Hobson Middle School (Washington) |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage) | School Without Walls High School (Washington) Banneker High School (Washington) McKinley Technology High School (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) | Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) The Sidwell Friends School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | District of Columbia Public Schools Capitol Hill Cluster School Washington Latin Public Charter School |
Top Alaska to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.