Alaska to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 3,505 mile interstate move from Alaska to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extremely cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern rustic vs colonial, cottage), 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 Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Rhode Island is 19.49% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Rhode Island movers is Two Men and a Truck
Alaska to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Rhode Island
- Extremely cold winters
- Limited cultural exposure
- Remote location
- High cost of living
- Isolation
- Milder winters
- Rich cultural diversity
- Proximity to major cities
- More affordable housing
- Dense population
- Limited outdoor wilderness
- Less wildlife
- High sales tax
- Less cultural uniqueness
- Shorter days
- Amazing natural beauty
- Abundant wildlife
- No sales tax
- Unique local culture
- Summer daylight
Pros of moving from Alaska to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to extremely cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural exposure and moving to Rhode Island with rich cultural diversity
- Swap the remote location of Alaska for proximity to major cities in Rhode Island
- Get ready for more affordable housing in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Alaska to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from amazing natural beauty in Alaska to live with limited outdoor wilderness in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of abundant wildlife and have to settle with the con of less wildlife
- Time to bid farewell to no sales tax and get used to high sales tax in Rhode Island
- Swap unique local culture for less cultural uniqueness
Alaska vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Salmon Jerky | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berry Cobbler | Johnnycakes |
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 Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Salmon Jerky, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and Hot Wieners 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 Johnnycakes of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill, Snow City Cafe, and The Alaska Fish House. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway's Restaurant, and Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log cabins, modern rustic | Colonial, cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural views, spacious lots | Historic homes, proximity to the ocean |
- The log cabins and modern rustic architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views and spacious lots, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to the ocean.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 97% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 19.49% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 35Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 33% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Rhode Island 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 hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 23 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 32 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.75% to 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.02% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 7% less than in Alaska
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to RI, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.75% to 5.99%
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to moderate in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to moderate in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alaska and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, tends lean conservative | Strongly leans liberal |
Local Politics | Independent-minded, with a significant libertarian streak | Democratic-leaning, with active local government involvement in community services |
Religion | Diverse, no single dominant religion | Predominantly Catholic, with significant historical roots in the state |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as strongly leaning liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Catholic, with significant historical roots in the state
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with no single dominant religion
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Rhode Island
Comparison | Alaska | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage UAF UAS | Brown University URI RIC |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Rilke Schule German School of Arts & Sciences - Anchorage | Rockwell Elementary School - Bristol Nayatt School - Barrington Community School - Cumberland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Barrington Middle School - Barrington Wickford Middle School - North Kingstown Archie R. Cole Middle School - East Greenwich |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | Classical High School - Providence Barrington High School - Barrington East Greenwich High - East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage | Moses Brown School - Providence The Wheeler School - Providence St. George's School - Middletown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak Anchorage Montessori School - Anchorage | Gordon School - East Providence Lincoln School - Providence The Wheeler School - Providence |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools South Kingstown School District |
Top Alaska to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for Alaska to Rhode Island