Alabama to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 3,567 mile interstate move from Alabama to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler, fresh climate), food & health (like Alabama BBQ vs Salmon), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Alabama BBQ and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab
- Alaska housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Alaska is 18.18% more expensive than in Alabama
- Our top recommended Alabama to Alaska movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Alaska
- Hot, humid summers
- Storm risk, hurricanes
- Limited wildlife
- Flat landscapes
- Crowded urban centers
- Cooler, fresh climate
- Stunning natural beauty
- Rich, diverse wildlife
- Majestic mountain views
- More space, open areas
- Frigid winter conditions
- Limited cultural diversity
- Isolated living experiences
- Few historic sites
- Higher cost of living
- Year-round warmth
- Southern cultural richness
- Close-knit community
- Historic landmarks
- Affordable housing
Pros of moving from Alabama to Alaska
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a cooler, fresh climate
- Look forward to moving away from storm risk and hurricanes and moving to Alaska with stunning natural beauty
- Swap the limited wildlife of Alabama for rich, diverse wildlife in Alaska
- Get ready for majestic mountain views in Alaska
Cons of moving from Alabama to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from year-round warmth in Alabama to live with frigid winter conditions in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern cultural richness and have to settle for the con of limited cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to a close-knit community and get used to isolated living experiences in Alaska
- Swap historic landmarks for a few historic sites
Alabama vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Alabama BBQ | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | King Crab |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh Sausage | Reindeer Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Seaweed Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Alabama to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Alabama BBQ of Alabama for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Conecuh Sausage, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab and Reindeer Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Saw's BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and The Bright Star. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill, Snow City Cafe, and Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alaska, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Alaska
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Cabin, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to schools | Natural views, spacious garages |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, Alaska's real estate listings often highlight features like natural views and spacious garages.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alaska is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Alaska is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Alaska has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Alaska housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Not enough data to generate comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 18.18% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Alaska
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F/72Β°F | 60Β°F/42Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F/39Β°F | 20Β°F/-10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 inches | 22 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 inches | 74 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Alaska. Alaska gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and avalanches in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 30 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows in Alaska are 49 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 36 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Alaska
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.40% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Concerning | Less Concerning |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 48% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Alaska will be 45% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is higher compared to moderate in Alabama
- The poverty level is less concerning in Alaska compared to concerning in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Alabama and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Alaska
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative with a strong emphasis on states' rights | Independently minded with a libertarian streak |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Less religious, diverse religious communities |
- Alabama tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as less religious and having diverse religious communities
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Alaska
Comparison | Alabama | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greystone Elementary School (Hoover) Mountain Brook Elementary School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Pearl Creek Elementary (Fairbanks) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Juneau-Douglas High School (Juneau) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) The Randolph School (Huntsville) | Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Advent Episcopal School (Birmingham) Cottage Hill Christian Academy (Mobile) Faith Christian Academy (Anniston) | Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District |
Top Alabama to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.