Alaska to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 3,494 mile interstate move from Alaska to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder seasons), food & health (like King Crab vs Blue Crab), real estate & housing (cabin and log home vs colonial and cape cod), 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 Blue Crab & Crab Cakes
- Maryland housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Maryland is 7.10% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Maryland movers is AT Movers
Alaska to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Maryland
- Harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited daylight in winter
- Higher cost of goods
- Limited services
- Milder seasons
- Proximity to major cities
- Balanced daylight year-round
- Lower cost of living
- More amenities
- Urban sprawl
- Less biodiversity
- Nonexistent views
- Crowded areas
- Sales tax applied
- Pristine nature
- Unique wildlife
- Aurora borealis
- Low population density
- No state sales tax
Pros of moving from Alaska to Maryland
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder seasons
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Maryland with proximity to major cities
- Swap the limited daylight in winter of Alaska for balanced daylight year-round in Maryland
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in Maryland
Cons of moving from Alaska to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from pristine nature in Alaska to live with urban sprawl in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle with the con of less biodiversity
- Time to bid farewell to the aurora borealis and get used to nonexistent views in Maryland
- Swap low population density for crowded areas
Alaska vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Blue Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Crab Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Alaskan Salmon Jerky | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Grilled Vegetable Skewers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Maryland, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Blue Crab of Maryland. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Alaskan Salmon Jerky, Maryland residents know they have tasty Crab Cakes and Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seaweed Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Vegetable Skewers of Maryland. 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 Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like The Crab Claw, Jimmy's Famous Seafood, and G&M Restaurant and Lounge.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Maryland
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin and Log Home | Colonial and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Views, Privacy | Proximity to Amenities, Historic Charm |
- The Cabin and Log Home architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views and privacy, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Maryland housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Alaska with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 52% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Maryland is 7.10% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Maryland
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60-80Β°F / 40-55Β°F | 85-90Β°F / 65-70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 0-30Β°F / -20--10Β°F | 40-50Β°F / 25-35Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 44" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 20.5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Maryland. Maryland gets 42% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Maryland 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 floods in Maryland.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 25 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 45 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Maryland
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2% to 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.18% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Biotechnology, Services, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 8% more than in Alaska
- The COLI in Maryland is 6% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to MD, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% to 5.75%
- The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Alaska and low in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Maryland
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, liberal in urban | Liberal in urban areas, mixed in rural |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, higher diversity in religious affiliations |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with higher diversity in religious affiliations
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Maryland
Comparison | Alaska | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rogers Park Elementary Anchorage; Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage; Ocean View Elementary School Anchorage | Fulton Elementary Fulton; Clarksville Elementary Clarksville; Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mears Middle School Anchorage; Romig Middle School Anchorage; Mirror Lake Middle School Chugiak | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Bethesda; Herbert Hoover Middle School Potomac; Burleigh Manor Middle School Ellicott City |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School Anchorage; South High School Anchorage; Dimond High School Anchorage | Winston Churchill High School Potomac; Walt Whitman High School Bethesda; Poolesville High School Poolesville |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage; Grace Christian School Anchorage; Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage | Gilman School Baltimore; Holton-Arms School Bethesda; Landon School Bethesda |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy Anchorage; St. John's School Anchorage; Anchor Lutheran School Anchorage | Sidwell Friends School Washington; Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda; The Bullis School Potomac |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District; Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Montgomery County Public Schools; Howard County Public School System; Anne Arundel County Public Schools |
Top Alaska to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.