Alaska to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 2,858 mile interstate move from Alaska to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (cabin-style, contemporary vs colonial, ranch), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Wisconsin is 28.23% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Top Alaska to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for Alaska to Wisconsin

MACS Moving and Storage

The Moving Man
Alaska to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Wisconsin
- Harsh winters
- Remote locations
- Higher cost of living
- Limited amenities
- Isolation
- Milder winters
- More connected cities
- More affordable living
- Abundant amenities
- More social opportunities
- Less wilderness
- Fewer wildlife sightings
- Fewer outdoor activities
- More crowded areas
- Overcrowding in cities
- Natural beauty
- Unique wildlife
- Adventure opportunities
- Wide open spaces
- Sense of isolation
Pros of moving from Alaska to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Wisconsin with more connected cities
- Swap the higher cost of living in Alaska for more affordable living in Wisconsin
- Get ready for abundant amenities in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Alaska to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Alaska to live with less wilderness in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique wildlife and have to settle for the con of fewer wildlife sightings
- Time to bid farewell to adventure opportunities and get used to fewer outdoor activities in Wisconsin
- Swap wide open spaces for more crowded areas
Alaska vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Akutaq (Eskimo Ice Cream) | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Berries | Vegan Cheese |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Akutaq (Eskimo Ice Cream), Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Berries they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Cheese of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, The Salmon Hookup, and Snow City Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mickies Dairy Bar, and Graze.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin-style, Contemporary | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural views, Spacious land | Family-friendly neighborhoods, Access to lakes |
- The Cabin-style and Contemporary architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural views and spacious land, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly neighborhoods and access to lakes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 85% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 28.23% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 44Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F / -10Β°F | 29Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 34 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 48 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 25% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Wisconsin 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 tornadoes and floods in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 22 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Wisconsin
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4%-7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 5.46% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Fishing, Tourism | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Stable |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Notable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 19% less than in Alaska
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 28% lower than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to WI, you'll now have a state income tax of 4%-7.65%
- The affluence in Wisconsin is stable compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Alaska and manageable in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning conservative | Swing state with fluctuating political leaning |
Local Politics | Independent-minded with a focus on individual rights and resource management | Community-oriented with strong traditions in local governance and progressive movements |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic, but with a significant number of unaffiliated | Primarily Protestant and Catholic, with diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Alaska tends to lean mixed, leaning conservative in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with fluctuating political leaning
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant and Catholic, with diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant, Catholic, but with a significant number of unaffiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Wisconsin
Comparison | Alaska | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC - Anchorage Machetanz Elementary - Wasilla | Randall Consolidated School - Burlington Elm Lawn Elementary - Middleton Lakeview Elementary - Neenah |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mears Middle School - Anchorage Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Longfellow Middle School - Wauwatosa Lake Shore Middle School - Mequon Pilgrim Park Middle School - Elm Grove |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Eagle River High School - Eagle River | Brookfield East High School - Brookfield Cedarburg High School - Cedarburg Whitefish Bay High School - Whitefish Bay |
Top 3 private high schools | Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Marquette University High School - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield The Prairie School - Racine |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Madison Metropolitan School District Elmbrook School District Mequon-Thiensville School District |