Alaska to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 3,655 mile interstate move from Alaska to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs mild climate), food & health (like King Crab vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern vs colonial, charleston style), 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 Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in South Carolina is 5.13% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Alaska to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to South Carolina
- Long winters
- High cost of living
- Remote location
- Limited daylight
- Mild climate
- Affordable housing
- Access to amenities
- Ample sunshine
- Humidity levels
- Hurricane risk
- More traffic
- Distance from family
- Natural beauty
- Unique wildlife
- Adventure opportunities
- Fresh seafood
Pros of moving from Alaska to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from a high cost of living and moving to South Carolina with affordable housing
- Swap the remote location of Alaska for access to amenities in South Carolina
- Get ready for ample sunshine in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Alaska to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Alaska to live with humidity levels in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle with the con of hurricane risk
- Time to bid farewell to adventure opportunities and get used to more traffic in South Carolina
- Swap fresh seafood for distance from family
Alaska vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Halibut Tacos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
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 South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Halibut Tacos, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Fried Green Tomatoes 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 South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill, 49th State Brewing Co, and The Hangar on the Wharf. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Home Team BBQ, Magnolia's, and Xiao Bao Biscuit.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and South Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log cabins, modern | Colonial, Charleston style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural views, private lots | Historical features, proximity to beaches |
- The Log cabins and modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views and private lots, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historical elements and proximity to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- South Carolina housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 96% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in South Carolina is 5.13% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and South Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | South 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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 40Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 60Β°F / 40Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 74 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 40% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- South 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 floods in South Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 30 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 South Carolina. South Carolina receives 27 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and South Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0-7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 7.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Tourism, Fisheries | Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 27% less than in Alaska
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to SC, you'll now have a state income tax of 0-7%
- The affluence in South Carolina is average compared to moderate in Alaska
- The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to lower in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alaska and lower in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region | Conservative dominance |
Religion | Mixed, less religious overall | Strongly Evangelical Protestant |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as strongly Evangelical Protestant
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed and less religious overall
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to South Carolina
Comparison | Alaska | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Pearl Creek Elementary - Fairbanks | Buist Academy - Charleston Mt. Pleasant Academy - Mount Pleasant Charleston Development Academy - Charleston |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Randy Smith Middle School - Fairbanks | Montessori School of Anderson - Anderson Greer Middle College Charter High - Greer Langston Charter Middle School - Greenville |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Service High School - Anchorage | Academic Magnet High School - North Charleston Charleston School of the Arts - North Charleston SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics - Hartsville |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage | Porter-Gaud School - Charleston Hammond School - Columbia Christ Church Episcopal School - Greenville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchor Lutheran School - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak | Hilton Head Preparatory School - Hilton Head Island Pinewood Preparatory School - Summerville Spartanburg Day School - Spartanburg |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | Greenville County Schools Charleston County School District Lexington-Richland School District Five |
Top Alaska to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for Alaska to South Carolina