Alaska to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 3,461 mile interstate move from Alaska to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like King Crab Legs vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to King Crab Legs and Reindeer Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Baked Beans and Cod
- Massachusetts housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Massachusetts is 45.75% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Alaska to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Massachusetts
- Long, harsh winters
- Isolation from the mainland
- Limited road access
- Higher cost of shipping
- Milder climate
- Proximity to major cities
- Extensive road networks
- More shipping options
- More urban environment
- Fewer wildlife experiences
- Higher population density
- Less cultural diversity
- Stunning natural landscapes
- Unique wildlife
- Low population density
- Rich Indigenous culture
Pros of moving from Alaska to Massachusetts
- 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 Massachusetts with proximity to major cities
- Swap the limited road access of Alaska for extensive road networks in Massachusetts
- Get ready for more shipping options in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Alaska to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning natural landscapes in Alaska to live in a more urban environment in Massachusetts
- 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 low population density and get used to a higher population density in Massachusetts
- Swap the rich Indigenous culture for less cultural diversity
Alaska vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab Legs | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Baked Beans and Cod |
Most popular street food item | Halibut Tacos | Lobster Rolls |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Cobbler | Roasted Root Vegetables |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic King Crab Legs of Alaska for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Halibut Tacos, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Baked Beans, Cod, and Lobster Rolls 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 Roasted Root Vegetables of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill, The Crow's Nest, and Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log Cabins, Modern | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Privacy | Access to Public Transportation, Historic Details |
- The Log Cabins and Modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 82% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 45.75% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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, Volcanic Eruptions | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 35Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 43" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 33% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 22 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 32 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Massachusetts
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.18% | 1.21% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Education, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 7% more than those in Alaska
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to MA, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alaska and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Independent-minded, with a significant focus on resource management | Progressive policies, emphasis on education and healthcare |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a notable presence of indigenous spiritual practices | Predominantly Christian, diverse religious communities |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and diverse religious communities
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a notable presence of indigenous spiritual practices
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Massachusetts
Comparison | Alaska | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Pacific University University of Alaska Fairbanks | University of Massachusetts Amherst Boston University Harvard University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Pearl Creek Elementary (Fairbanks) | Newton Lexington Wellesley Elementary Schools (Various cities) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) | Williams Middle School (Longmeadow) Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Wellesley Middle School (Wellesley) |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School (Anchorage) Service High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchor Lutheran School (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge) Dexter Southfield (Brookline) The Winsor School (Boston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Lexington School District Newton Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
Top Alaska to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Alaska to Massachusetts