Alaska to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 3,355 mile interstate move from Alaska to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder seasons), food & health (like King Crab vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (log homes, cabins vs colonial, 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 Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Ham BBQ
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 14.82% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Alaska to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Pennsylvania
- Long, harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited job market
- Higher cost of goods
- Milder seasons
- Close to major cities
- More employment opportunities
- Affordability
- No Denali views
- Fewer wildlife experiences
- Fewer wilderness areas
- Higher population density
- Stunning natural beauty
- Unique wildlife
- Abundant outdoor activities
- Low population density
Pros of moving from Alaska to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to milder seasons
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Pennsylvania with close proximity to major cities
- Swap the limited job market of Alaska for more employment opportunities in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for affordability in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Alaska to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the stunning natural beauty in Alaska to live with no Denali views in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle with the con of fewer wildlife experiences
- Time to bid farewell to abundant outdoor activities and get used to fewer wilderness areas in Pennsylvania
- Swap low population density for a higher population density
Alaska vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Pittsburgh Ham BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Halibut Tacos | Soft Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Cobbler | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Halibut Tacos, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Ham BBQ and Soft Pretzels 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 Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, The Saltry, and Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Geno's Steaks, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log Homes, Cabins | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Scenery, Privacy | Historical Sites, Proximity to Cities |
- The Log Homes and Cabins architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery and privacy, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historical sites and proximity to cities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 66% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 14.82% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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, Wildfires | Floods, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 38" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 37% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential floods and tornadoes in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 25 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 20 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.18% | 1.50% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Fishing, Tourism | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Higher | Slightly Lower |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 19% less than those in Alaska
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 25% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to PA, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.07%
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is slightly lower in Pennsylvania compared to higher poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Alaska and less noticeable in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Libertarian tendencies | Strong union influence |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Highly diverse religious landscape |
- Alaska tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as a highly diverse religious landscape
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Pearl Creek Elementary - Fairbanks | Marie Murphy School - Wilmette Waldron Mercy Academy - Merion Station Whitemarsh Elementary - Conshohocken |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Roma Middle School - Roma Mears Middle School - Anchorage Floyd Dryden Middle School - Juneau | Radnor Middle School - Wayne Haverford Middle School - Havertown Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Chugiak High School - Chugiak | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia Conestoga Senior High School - Berwyn Central High School - Philadelphia |
Top 3 private high schools | Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage | The Haverford School - Haverford Germantown Friends School - Philadelphia Friends' Central School - Wynnewood |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage | The Baldwin School - Bryn Mawr The Hill School - Pottstown Friends' Central School - Wynnewood |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | Lower Merion School District Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District |
Top Alaska to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Alaska to Pennsylvania