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Arkansas to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 3,247 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cool, refreshing summers), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Salmon), real estate & housing (traditional, ranch vs rustic, log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 74% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Alaska is 32.36% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Alaska movers is B2 Moving

Arkansas to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Alaska

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Severe thunderstorms
  • Limited outdoor sports
  • Lower artistic presence
  • Urban sprawl
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Cool, refreshing summers
  • Majestic northern lights
  • Diverse outdoor activities
  • Vibrant art scene
  • Spacious landscapes

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Harsh, long winters
  • Higher living costs
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Difficult terrain
  • Limited fresh produce
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Milder winters
  • Lower cost of living
  • Rich Southern culture
  • Accessible roadways
  • Farm-fresh produce

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cool, refreshing summers
  • Look forward to moving away from severe thunderstorms and moving to Alaska with majestic northern lights
  • Swap the limited outdoor sports of Arkansas for diverse outdoor activities in Alaska
  • Get ready for a vibrant art scene in Alaska

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from milder winters in Arkansas to live with harsh, long winters in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
  • Time to bid farewell to rich Southern culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Alaska
  • Swap accessible roadways for difficult terrain

Arkansas vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishSalmon
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemTamalesKing Crab Legs
Most popular vegan foodArkansas Black ApplesSeaweed
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • The Southern Gourmasian
  • Doe's Eat Place
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Arkansas Black Apples they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Southern Gourmasian, and Doe's Eat Place. 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, Snow City Cafe, and Marx Bros. Cafe.

When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Alaska

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleTraditional, RanchRustic, Log Cabin
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge backyards, proximity to schoolsNatural views, privacy
  • The Traditional and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Log Cabin architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to schools, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural views and privacy.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Alaska is less walkable than Arkansas.
  • Alaska is similarly bike-friendly to Arkansas.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Alaska housing costs are 74% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 32.36% more expensive than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Alaska

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsEarthquakes, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F60Β°F / 40Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 30Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"22"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"75"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Alaska. Alaska gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and tsunamis in Alaska.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 30 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 40 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Alaska

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Avg. Household Income$55,432$88,121
Cost of Living Index90.5132.6
State Income Tax5.5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax9.48%1.76%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, TimberOil, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModestHigher
PovertyPrevalentLower
HomelessnessNoticeableChallenging
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 59% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 47% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is higher compared to modest affluence in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is lower in Alaska compared to prevalent poverty in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Arkansas and challenging in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Alaska

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Political Make-upConservative/RepublicanMixed, with Independent leanings
Local PoliticsLocally driven, community involvement highDiverse, region-specific issues take precedence
ReligionPrimarily Protestant ChristianReligiously diverse with a significant number of unaffiliated individuals
  • Arkansas tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with Independent leanings
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a significant number of unaffiliated individuals
  • Arkansas's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Alaska

ComparisonArkansasAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Interdistrict Elementary School
Little Rock
Ruth Doyle Middle School
Conway
Parkway Elementary School
Bryant
Scenic Park Elementary
Anchorage
Bayshore Elementary
Anchorage
Aurora Elementary
Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy North Middle School
Sherwood
LISA Academy West Middle School
Little Rock
Bentonville Middle School
Bentonville
Mears Middle School
Anchorage
Roma Blaser Middle School
Anchorage
Goldenview Middle School
Anchorage
Top 3 High SchoolsHaas Hall Academy
Fayetteville
Little Rock Central High School
Little Rock
Bentonville High School
Bentonville
West High School
Anchorage
South Anchorage High School
Anchorage
Eagle River High School
Eagle River
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy
Little Rock
Mount St. Mary Academy
Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School
Springdale
Grace Christian School
Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy
Anchorage
Lumen Christi High School
Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe New School
Fayetteville
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco
Little Rock Christian Academy
Little Rock
Anchor Lutheran School
Anchorage
Faith Lutheran School
Anchorage
Pacific Northern Academy
Anchorage
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District
Fayetteville School District
Little Rock School District
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Top Arkansas to Alaska Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Alaska

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Elite Moving

Elite Moving

8.88/10
ALSO GREAT
Ron's Delivery & Moving

Ron's Delivery & Moving

8.81/10
Top Arkansas to Alaska Routes

Little Rock to Alaska