Arizona to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 2,748 mile interstate move from Arizona to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like intense summer heat vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Salmon), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs log cabin, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab
- Alaska housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Alaska is 8.97% more affordable than in Arizona
- Our top recommended Arizona to Alaska movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Alaska
- Intense summer heat
- Water scarcity
- Limited wildlife
- Dry desert landscapes
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Abundant natural water
- Diverse wildlife
- Stunning wilderness
- Slower pace of life
- Dark winters
- Limited shopping options
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer entertainment venues
- Rural isolation
- Sunshine year-round
- Plentiful amenities
- Robust housing market
- Cultural attractions
- Urban conveniences
Pros of moving from Arizona to Alaska
- Say goodbye to intense summer heat and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from water scarcity and moving to Alaska with abundant natural water
- Swap the limited wildlife of Arizona for diverse wildlife in Alaska
- Get ready for stunning wilderness in Alaska
Cons of moving from Arizona to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunshine year-round in Arizona to live with dark winters in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of plentiful amenities and have to settle for the con of limited shopping options
- Time to bid farewell to a robust housing market and get used to a higher cost of living in Alaska
- Swap cultural attractions for fewer entertainment venues
Arizona vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | King Crab |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Seaweed Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Arizona to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos 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 Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Barrio CafΓ©, and Elote Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Tracy's King Crab Shack, The Crow's Nest, and Moose's Tooth Pub.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Alaska
Comparison | Arizona | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Log Cabin, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Solar Panels, Swimming Pools | Fireplaces, Spacious Yards |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Craftsman architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference solar panels and swimming pools, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like fireplaces and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Alaska housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 8.97% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Alaska
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Heatwaves, Droughts | Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/78Β°F | 60Β°F/40Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/45Β°F | 20Β°F/-10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Alaska. Alaska gets 47% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and droughts in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 44 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows in Alaska are 55 degrees colder than those in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Alaska
Comparison | Arizona | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 - 4.50 | No state income tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62 | 1.19 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40 | N/A |
Top 3 Industries | Real Estate, Healthcare, Retail | Oil & Gas, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 18% more than in Arizona
- The cost of living index in Alaska will be 31% higher than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in AK is no state income tax compared to 2.59% to 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and low in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Alaska
Comparison | Arizona | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple, leaning slightly red | Leans red, independent streak |
Local Politics | Mix of liberal cities and conservative rural areas | Municipalities with varying degrees of conservatism; strong libertarian presence |
Religion | Christianity predominant, significant Catholic and Evangelical communities | Christianity predominant, diverse with a noticeable Orthodox Christian community |
- Arizona tends to lean purple, leaning slightly red in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning red with an independent streak
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, diverse with a noticeable Orthodox Christian community
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with significant Catholic and Evangelical communities
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Alaska
Comparison | Arizona | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler BASIS Chandler - Chandler Archway Classical Academy - Scottsdale | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale BASIS Ahwatukee - Phoenix BASIS Chandler - Chandler | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Chandler - Chandler BASIS Peoria - Peoria BASIS Oro Valley - Oro Valley | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Eagle River High School - Eagle River |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley The Gregory School - Tucson Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Arizona to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Alaska