Alaska to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 3,609 mile interstate move from Alaska to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme cold vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (cabin and log homes vs colonial and 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 Pulled Pork BBQ & Pulled Pork Sandwich
- North Carolina housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in North Carolina is 0.56% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Alaska to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to North Carolina
- Extreme cold
- Isolation
- Limited daylight
- High cost of living
- High wildlife risks
- Milder winters
- Closer amenities
- Balanced daylight
- More affordable living
- Less wildlife intrusion
- Fewer mountain views
- Less diverse wildlife
- Higher population density
- More generic culture
- No northern lights
- Stunning landscapes
- Abundant wildlife
- Low population density
- Unique culture
- Northern lights
Pros of moving from Alaska to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to extreme cold and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from isolation and moving to North Carolina with closer amenities
- Swap the limited daylight of Alaska for balanced daylight in North Carolina
- Get ready for more affordable living in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Alaska to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Alaska to live with fewer mountain views in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of abundant wildlife and have to settle for the con of less diverse wildlife
- Time to bid farewell to low population density and get used to higher population density in North Carolina
- Swap unique culture for more generic culture
Alaska vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Halibut Tacos | Carolina Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Collard Greens |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Halibut Tacos, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork Sandwich and Carolina Hot Dog 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 Collard Greens of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like The Moose's Tooth, The Crow's Nest, and Tracy's King Crab Shack. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Chef & the Farmer.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and North Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin and Log homes | Colonial and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Views | Proximity to Amenities |
- The Cabin and Log homes architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- North Carolina housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 106% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in North Carolina is 0.56% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and North Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
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 | 50-60Β°F / 30-40Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22-160 | 40-55 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60-195 | 4-12 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 42% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 25 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 50 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and North Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Finance, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Variable |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 23% less than those in Alaska
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 28% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to NC, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.25%
- The affluence in North Carolina is variable compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alaska and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans conservative, diverse representation | Moderate to conservative, battleground state |
Local Politics | Community-focused, individual participation | Community and state-driven, active local engagement |
Religion | Varied with a significant non-religious population | Christian-majority, strong evangelical presence |
- Alaska tends to lean conservative with diverse representation in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as moderate to conservative and a battleground state
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a strong evangelical presence
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with a significant non-religious population
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to North Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Pearl Creek Elementary - Fairbanks | Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte Morrisville Elementary - Morrisville Eastover Elementary - Charlotte |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Smith Middle - Chapel Hill Jay M. Robinson Middle - Charlotte Ligon Middle - Raleigh |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh Charlotte Latin School - Charlotte |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage | Phillips Academy - Charlotte Durham Academy - Durham Cary Academy - Cary |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage | Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill - Durham Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte Greensboro Day School - Greensboro |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools |
Top Alaska to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Alaska to North Carolina