Hawaii to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Tropical storms
- Limited land space
- Lower living expenses
- Milder weather variations
- Expansive wilderness
- Cold, harsh winters
- Fewer beach options
- Less cultural variety
- 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
Comparison | Hawaii | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Tropical Fruit Bowls | Wild Berry Cobbler |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 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
Comparison | Hawaii | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Log, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Mountain 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 Hawaiiβs $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
Comparison | Hawaii | 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 | Volcanoes, Tsunamis | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/70 | 60/40 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78/63 | 20/-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
Comparison | Hawaii | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | Max 11% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Oil, Government, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Hawaii | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Strong community involvement | Independent, libertarian influence |
Religion | Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto | Christianity, 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
Comparison | Hawaii | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu Brigham Young UniversityβHawaii Laie | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University Anchorage |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Manoa 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 Schools | Washington 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 Schools | President 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 schools | Iolani 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 schools | Le 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 Districts | Hawaii 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.