Alaska to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 3,329 mile interstate move from Alaska to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like King Crab vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern 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 Chicken & Burgoo
- Kentucky housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Kentucky is 24.85% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Kentucky movers is From Here to There
Alaska to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Kentucky
- Long, harsh winters
- Isolation from mainland
- Higher cost of living
- Limited road access
- Dark winter months
- Milder climate
- Central location
- Affordability
- Extensive highway system
- Plentiful sunshine
- Fewer wilderness areas
- Less diverse fauna
- No northern lights
- Fewer adventure activities
- More crowded
- Natural beauty
- Rich wildlife
- Aurora borealis
- Unique adventure sports
- Low population density
Pros of moving from Alaska to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from isolation from the mainland and moving to Kentucky with a central location
- Swap the higher cost of living in Alaska for affordability in Kentucky
- Get ready for an extensive highway system in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Alaska to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Alaska to live with fewer wilderness areas in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich wildlife and have to settle for the con of less diverse fauna
- Time to bid farewell to the aurora borealis and get used to no northern lights in Kentucky
- Swap unique adventure sports for fewer adventure activities
Alaska vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Burgoo |
Most popular street food item | Salmon Bake | Hot Brown Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Alaskan Blueberries | Kentucky Beer Cheese |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Salmon Bake, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Brown Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Alaskan Blueberries they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kentucky Beer Cheese of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, 49th State Brewing Co, and The Hangar on the Wharf. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Monarch, Ramsey's Diner, and Keeneland Track Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Kentucky
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log cabins, modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural views, spaciousness | Historic homes, horse farms |
- The log cabins and modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views and spaciousness, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and horse farms.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Kentucky is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Kentucky is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Kentucky has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Kentucky housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 82% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Kentucky is 24.85% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Kentucky
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Wildfires | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 44Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 74" | 22" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 30% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Kentucky has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 27 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 23 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Kentucky
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.1% | 0.9% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 33% less than those in Alaska
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 34% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to KY, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to moderate poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alaska and moderate in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Independently minded | Conservative with local variances |
Religion | Mix, with Christian majorities | Primarily Christian, notably Baptist |
- Alaska tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, notably Baptist
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix, with Christian majorities
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Kentucky
Comparison | Alaska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC (Anchorage) Aquarian Charter School (Anchorage) | Ashland Elementary (Lexington) Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) | Winburn Middle School (Lexington) Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas) South Oldham Middle School (Crestwood) |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Saint Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Sayre School (Lexington) Christian Academy of Louisville (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Oldham County Schools |
Top Alaska to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.