Alaska to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 2,518 mile interstate move from Alaska to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (cabin, modern vs craftsman, victorian), 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 Hotdish & Tater Tot Casserole
- Minnesota housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Minnesota is 4.34% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Alaska to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Minnesota
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Remote locations
- Limited road access
- Frequent natural disasters
- Milder winters
- More affordable cost of living
- Proximity to major cities
- Extensive road networks
- Fewer natural disasters
- Landscapes less dramatic
- Fewer wildlife encounters
- Less cultural diversity
- Denser population
- Fewer winter activities
- Stunning landscapes
- Rich wildlife
- Unique culture
- Less crowded
- Seasonal activities
Pros of moving from Alaska to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Minnesota with a more affordable cost of living
- Swap the remote locations of Alaska for proximity to major cities in Minnesota
- Get ready for extensive road networks in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Alaska to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Alaska to live with landscapes that are less dramatic in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich wildlife and have to settle for the con of fewer wildlife encounters
- Time to bid farewell to unique culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Minnesota
- Swap less crowded for a denser population
Alaska vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Tater Tot Casserole |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Wild Rice Soup |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Tater Tot Casserole and Juicy Lucy 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 Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like The Moose's Tooth, Simon & Seafort's, and Snow City Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matty's Heart & Soul, The Bachelor Farmer, and Spoon and Stable.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Minnesota
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin, Modern | Craftsman, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Privacy | Lakeside, Proximity to Parks |
- The Cabin and Modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Victorian architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference views and privacy, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside living and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Minnesota housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 72% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Minnesota is 4.34% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Minnesota
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Avalanches, earthquakes | Tornadoes, blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Generally good, urban areas may vary |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60-75Β°F / 40-55Β°F | 79-85Β°F / 58-64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 0-30Β°F / -20-20Β°F | 18-33Β°F / 0-15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 28-34" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 45-70" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 32% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Minnesota has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible avalanches and earthquakes in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 19 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Minnesota
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.35% - 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 1.08% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6.875% + local taxes |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Increasing | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 7% less than those in Alaska
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 26% lower than what you are used to in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to MN, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.35% - 9.85%
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to low in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Alaska and stable in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a conservative trend in general elections | Liberal, especially in urban areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul |
Local Politics | Resource-driven, focus on oil and gas industries | Progressive policies, strong emphasis on healthcare and education |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, with significant Catholic and Lutheran populations |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed, with a conservative trend in general elections in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal, especially in urban areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with significant Catholic and Lutheran populations
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Minnesota
Comparison | Alaska | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minnesota State University Mankato University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Trailside Elementary School - Anchorage | Deephaven Elementary - Minnetonka Greenwood Elementary - Plymouth Edgewood School - Mounds View |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak Mears Middle School - Anchorage | Wayzata Central Middle School - Plymouth Minnetonka Middle School East - Minnetonka Eden Prairie Central Middle School - Eden Prairie |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | Edina High School - Edina Minnetonka High School - Minnetonka Wayzata High School - Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage | Breck School - Golden Valley The Blake School - Minneapolis Saint Thomas Academy - Mendota Heights |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchor Lutheran School - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak | Breck School - Golden Valley The Blake School - Minneapolis Mounds Park Academy - Saint Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District Wayzata Public School District |
Top Alaska to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.