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Hawaii to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 24, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Poke vs Salmon), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs log, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pig, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
  • Rent in Alaska is 40.60% more affordable than in Hawaii
  • Our top recommended Hawaii to Alaska movers is Ewa Moving Co.

Hawaii to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Alaska

ConsHawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Tropical storms
  • Limited land space
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Lower living expenses
  • Milder weather variations
  • Expansive wilderness

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Cold, harsh winters
  • Fewer beach options
  • Less cultural variety
Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm year-round
  • Beach lifestyle
  • Diverse culture

Pros of moving from Hawaii to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
  • Look forward to moving away from tropical storms and moving to Alaska with milder weather variations
  • Swap the limited land space of Hawaii for expansive wilderness in Alaska

Cons of moving from Hawaii to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the warm year-round weather in Hawaii to live with the cold, harsh winters in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of the beach lifestyle and have to settle for the con of fewer beach options
  • Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to less cultural variety in Alaska

Hawaii vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
Most iconic local food itemPokeSalmon
Most popular meat dishKalua PigReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemSpam MusubiKing Crab Legs
Most popular vegan foodTropical Fruit BowlsWild Berry Cobbler
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Mama's Fish House
  • The Crab Shack
  • Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill
  • Tracy's King Crab Shack
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 Hawaii to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tropical Fruit Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Berry Cobbler of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Leonard's Bakery, and Mama's Fish House. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like The Crab Shack, Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill, and Tracy's King Crab Shack.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Alaska

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
Typical Architecture StylePlantation, ModernLog, Modern
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 listingOcean view, LanaiMountain view, Access to nature
  • The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Log and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanai, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and access to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Hawaii.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
  • Alaska housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
  • Not enough data to generate comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 40.60% more affordable than in Hawaii.

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

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
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 DisastersVolcanoes, TsunamisEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVaries
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/7060/40
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)78/6320/-10
Annual Rainfall (Inches)63"22"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"74"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Alaska. Alaska gets 45% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
  • Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii, 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 25 degrees colder than in Hawaii.
  • The average winter lows in Alaska are 73 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 41 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Alaska

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
Avg. Household Income$92,458$88,121
Cost of Living Index165.7132.6
State Income TaxMax 11%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.28%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax4.44%0%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Military, AgricultureOil, Government, Fishing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyNoticeableModerate
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 5% less than in Hawaii
  • The COLI in Alaska is 20% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to moderate in Hawaii
  • The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to noticeable in Hawaii
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Alaska

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsStrong community involvementIndependent, libertarian influence
ReligionChristianity, Buddhism, ShintoChristianity, Indigenous spirituality
  • Hawaii tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as Christianity and Indigenous spirituality
  • Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto

Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Alaska

ComparisonHawaiiAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Laie
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsManoa Elementary School
Honolulu
Aina Haina Elementary School
Honolulu
Pearl Ridge Elementary School
Aiea
Bayshore Elementary School
Anchorage
Northern Lights ABC School
Anchorage
Aquarian Charter School
Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWashington Middle School
Honolulu
Ewa Makai Middle School
Ewa Beach
Niu Valley Middle School
Honolulu
Romig Middle School
Anchorage
Goldenview Middle School
Anchorage
Mirror Lake Middle School
Chugiak
Top 3 High SchoolsPresident Theodore Roosevelt High School
Honolulu
Henry J. Kaiser High School
Honolulu
Kalani High School
Honolulu
South Anchorage High School
Anchorage
West Anchorage High School
Anchorage
Service High School
Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsIolani School
Honolulu
Punahou School
Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus
Honolulu
Grace Christian School
Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy
Anchorage
Anchorage Christian Schools
Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLe Jardin Academy
Kailua
Island Pacific Academy
Kapolei
Honolulu Waldorf School
Honolulu
Anchor Lutheran School
Anchorage
Birchwood Christian School
Chugiak
Lumen Christi High School
Anchorage
Top 3 School DistrictsHawaii Department of Education
Statewide
Anchorage School District
Anchorage
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Palmer
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Fairbanks

Top Hawaii to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Alaska

8.28/10
Very GoodView details
RUNNER-UP
Mint Moving and Cleaning Solutions LLC featured image

Mint Moving and Cleaning Solutions LLC

7.93/10
ALSO GREAT
The Moving Man featured image

The Moving Man

7.79/10
Top Hawaii to Alaska Routes

Honolulu to Alaska