Alaska to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 2,825 mile interstate move from Alaska to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Salmon vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Salmon and Reindeer Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Kansas is 37.01% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Kansas movers is American Movers
Alaska to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Kansas
- Long, harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited job market
- High cost of living
- Limited road connectivity
- Milder climate
- Central location
- Diverse opportunities
- Lower cost of living
- Extensive highways
- Flat terrains
- Higher population density
- Fewer wildlife encounters
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer winter activities
- Stunning landscapes
- Low population density
- Wildlife and nature
- Unique cultural experiences
- Cold adventure activities
Pros of moving from Alaska to Kansas
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Kansas with a central location
- Swap the limited job market of Alaska for diverse opportunities in Kansas
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in Kansas
Cons of moving from Alaska to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Alaska to live with flat terrains in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of low population density and have to settle with the con of higher population density
- Time to bid farewell to wildlife and nature and get used to fewer wildlife encounters in Kansas
- Swap unique cultural experiences for less cultural diversity
Alaska vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Brisket |
Most popular street food item | King Crab Legs | Beef Sliders |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berries | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Kansas, you will be trading the iconic salmon of Alaska for the equally delicious BBQ ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful reindeer sausage and sumptuous king crab legs, Kansas residents know they have tasty brisket and beef sliders to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the wild berries they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like The Salmon Bake, Simon & Seafort's, and Snow City Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, and Slap's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Kansas
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log cabins, modern | Ranch, bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, natural light | Spacious backyards, finished basements |
- The log cabins and modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the ranch and bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings, which commonly reference scenic views and natural light, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and finished basements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Kansas has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Kansas housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 78% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Kansas is 37.01% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Kansas
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
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, Avalanches | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 40Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 28" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 20" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Kansas. Kansas gets 53% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and avalanches in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 30 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kansas. Kansas receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Kansas
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.1% - 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 1.37% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | Moderate | Averagely affluent |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 22% less than those in Alaska
- The COLI in Kansas will be 31% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to KS, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.1% - 5.7%
- The affluence in Kansas is averagely affluent compared to moderate in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Alaska and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Kansas
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Conservative, Republican-dominated |
Local Politics | Independents play a significant role | Republican stronghold, with some Democratic influence in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity dominates, with a significant unaffiliated population | Primarily Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and Republican-dominated
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong evangelical presence
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominates with a significant unaffiliated population
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Kansas
Comparison | Alaska | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Pearl Creek Elementary - Fairbanks | Claflin Elementary - Claflin Meadowlark Ridge Elementary - Salina Corinth Elementary - Prairie Village |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Leawood Middle School - Leawood Prairie Star Middle School - Leawood Lakewood Middle School - Overland Park |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | Blue Valley North High School - Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High School - Prairie Village Olathe North High School - Olathe |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage | The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City Bishop Miege High School - Roeland Park Maur Hill - Mount Academy - Atchison |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage | The Independent School - Wichita Cair Paravel Latin School - Topeka Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District - Anchorage Fairbanks North Star Borough School District - Fairbanks Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District - Palmer | Blue Valley School District - Overland Park DeSoto School District - DeSoto Shawnee Mission School District - Shawnee Mission |
Top Alaska to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.