Alaska to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 3,504 mile interstate move from Alaska to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Alaskan King Crab vs Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich), real estate & housing (cabin/lodge vs colonial/modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Alaskan King Crab and Reindeer Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich & Italian Hot Dogs
- New Jersey housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in New Jersey is 40.73% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Alaska to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to New Jersey
- Harsh winters
- Short summer season
- Remote location
- Limited shopping
- Higher cost of living
- Milder winters
- Longer summer season
- Proximity to big cities
- Varied shopping options
- Moderate cost of living
- Less scenic views
- Fewer wildlife encounters
- Busier lifestyle
- Congested roads
- More urbanized areas
- Stunning landscapes
- Unique wildlife
- Peaceful environment
- Minimal traffic
- Strong community feel
Pros of moving from Alaska to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a short summer season and moving to New Jersey with a longer summer season
- Swap the remote location of Alaska for proximity to big cities in New Jersey
- Get ready for varied shopping options in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Alaska to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Alaska to live with less scenic views in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle for the con of fewer wildlife encounters
- Time to bid farewell to a peaceful environment and get used to a busier lifestyle in New Jersey
- Swap minimal traffic for congested roads
Alaska vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Alaskan King Crab | Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Smoked Salmon | Pork Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Cobbler | Vegan Pizza |
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 New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Alaskan King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich of New Jersey. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Smoked Salmon, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dogs and Pork Roll 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 Vegan Pizza of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon's Seaforts, The Snow Goose, and Glacier BrewHouse. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Original, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and New Jersey
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin/Lodge | Colonial/Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious land, scenic views | Proximity to NYC, great schools |
- The Cabin/Lodge architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial/Modern architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious land and scenic views, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and great schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New Jersey is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- New Jersey housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 74% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in New Jersey is 40.73% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and New Jersey
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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, Cold Winters | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60-80 / 40-55 | 85-90 / 65-70 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 0-30 / -20--10 | 40-50 / 25-30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 23 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 37% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- New Jersey has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and cold winters in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey 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 New Jersey. New Jersey receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and New Jersey
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4% to 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 2.21% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 9% more than those in Alaska
- The COLI in New Jersey is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to NJ, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% to 10.75%
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alaska and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democrat |
Local Politics | Independent streak with a mix of conservative and liberal values | Densely populated, with local politics heavily influenced by urban issues |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity prevalent, significant Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities |
- Alaska tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democrat
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as Christianity prevalent, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to New Jersey
Comparison | Alaska | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | Rutgers University-New Brunswick Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Chugach Optional Elementary School - Anchorage | Littlebrook Elementary School - Princeton Millburn Public Schools - Millburn Marie V. Duffy Elementary School - Wharton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage | Millburn Middle School - Millburn William Annin Middle School - Basking Ridge Princeton Charter School - Princeton |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | High Technology High School - Lincroft Bergen County Academies - Hackensack Princeton High School - Princeton |
Top 3 private high schools | Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage | The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville The Pingry School - Basking Ridge Dwight-Englewood School - Englewood |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage | Newark Academy - Livingston Morristown-Beard School - Morristown The Pennington School - Pennington |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Millburn Township Schools Princeton Public Schools Summit Public Schools |
Top Alaska to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.