Movers

Colorado to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 2,575 mile interstate move from Colorado to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Salmon), real estate & housing (modern mountain, craftsman vs rustic, cabin-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab Legs
  • Alaska housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Colorado
  • Rent in Alaska is 14.04% more affordable than in Colorado
  • Our top recommended Colorado to Alaska movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Colorado to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Alaska

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited summer activities
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Affordable housing
  • Less crowded roads
  • Abundant outdoor adventures

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Harsh, long winters
  • Limited restaurant options
  • Isolation from mainland
Colorado iconColorado
  • Mild winters
  • Diverse dining scene
  • Vibrant cultural life

Pros of moving from Colorado to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Alaska with less crowded roads
  • Swap the limited summer activities of Colorado for abundant outdoor adventures in Alaska

Cons of moving from Colorado to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Colorado to live with harsh, long winters in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse dining scene and have to settle with the con of limited restaurant options
  • Time to bid farewell to a vibrant cultural life and get used to isolation from the mainland in Alaska

Colorado vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersSalmon
Most popular meat dishBison BurgersKing Crab Legs
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritoReindeer Sausage
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beau Jo's Pizza
  • Snooze an AM Eatery
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Colorado to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab Legs and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo's Pizza, and Snooze an AM Eatery. 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, Kincaid Grill, and Snow City Cafe.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Alaska

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleModern Mountain, CraftsmanRustic, Cabin-style
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 listingViews, Open floor plans, Energy efficiencyPrivacy, Natural surroundings, Wood interiors
  • The Modern Mountain and Craftsman architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Cabin-style architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Colorado's real estate listings, which commonly reference views, open floor plans, and energy efficiency, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like privacy, natural surroundings, and wood interiors.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Colorado.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
  • Alaska housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
  • Not enough data is available to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 14.04% more affordable than in Colorado.

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

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
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 DisastersWildfires, AvalanchesEarthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 55Β°F60Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 18Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15.622.5
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5575-100+
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Alaska. Alaska gets 39% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and avalanches in Colorado, 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 25 degrees colder than in Colorado.
  • The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 6.9 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Alaska

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
Avg. Household Income$89,302$88,121
Cost of Living Index98.3132.6
State Income Tax4.550
Avg. Property Tax0.491.19
Avg. Sales Tax2.90
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Agriculture, TourismOil, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceProsperousStable
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessIncreasingStable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 1% less than in Colorado
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 35% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is stable compared to prosperous in Colorado
  • The poverty level is higher in Alaska compared to moderate in Colorado
  • In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Colorado and stable in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Alaska

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
Political Make-upModerately liberal, leaning DemocraticConservative, leaning Republican
Local PoliticsUrban areas lean Democratic, rural areas more RepublicanDiverse, with both conservative strongholds and independent voters
ReligionMixed, with a significant number of unaffiliated individualsVaried, with a higher proportion of unaffiliated or non-religious people
  • Colorado tends to lean moderately liberal, leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, leaning Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as varied, with a higher proportion of unaffiliated or non-religious people
  • Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant number of unaffiliated individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Alaska

ComparisonColoradoAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBromwell Elementary - Denver
Cory Elementary - Denver
Parker Core Knowledge - Parker
Aurora Elementary - Anchorage
Northern Lights ABC - Anchorage
Rogers Park Elementary - Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsKinard Core Knowledge Middle School - Fort Collins
Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder
Liberty Common Charter School - Fort Collins
Romig Middle School - Anchorage
Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage
Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak
Top 3 High School SchoolsCherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village
Fairview High School - Boulder
Grandview High School - Aurora
West High School - Anchorage
South Anchorage High School - Anchorage
Dimond High School - Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsColorado Academy - Denver
Kent Denver School - Englewood
The Alexander Dawson School - Lafayette
Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage
Grace Christian School - Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Denver Waldorf School - Denver
Boulder Country Day School - Boulder
Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs
Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage
Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage
Anchor Lutheran School - Anchorage
Top 3 School DistrictsCherry Creek School District
Boulder Valley School District
Douglas County School District
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Top Colorado to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Colorado to Alaska

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Denver Door to Door Movers LLC featured image

Denver Door to Door Movers LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

Denver to Alaska

Colorado Springs to Alaska

Aurora to Alaska

Fort Collins to Alaska

Lakewood to Alaska