Idaho to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 2,057 mile interstate move from Idaho to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs higher wage jobs), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Alaskan Salmon), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs log cabins and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Alaskan Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Alaska is 7.84% more expensive than in Idaho
- Our top recommended Idaho to Alaska movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Alaska
- Limited job opportunities
- Harsh winter conditions
- Population growth pressures
- Seasonal wildfires
- Higher wage jobs
- Stunning winter landscapes
- Vast open spaces
- Reduced wildfire risks
- Higher cost of living
- Extreme winter cold
- Remote area challenges
- Fewer urban amenities
- Affordable living costs
- Four distinct seasons
- Easy access to parks
- Boise's vibrant culture
Pros of moving from Idaho to Alaska
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to higher wage jobs
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winter conditions and moving to Alaska with stunning winter landscapes
- Swap the population growth pressures of Idaho for vast open spaces in Alaska
- Get ready for reduced wildfire risks in Alaska
Cons of moving from Idaho to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living costs in Idaho to live with a higher cost of living in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle with the con of extreme winter cold
- Time to bid farewell to easy access to parks and get used to remote area challenges in Alaska
- Swap Boise's vibrant culture for fewer urban amenities
Idaho vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Alaskan Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry Jam-filled Donuts | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Stew | Kelp Pickles |
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 Idaho to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Alaskan Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Huckleberry Jam-filled Donuts, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Mushroom Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kelp Pickles of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Old Spaghetti Factory, Boise Fry Company, and State & Lemp. 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 Orso.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Alaska
Comparison | Idaho | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | Log cabins and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Proximity to nature, scenic views |
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Log cabins and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to nature and scenic views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Alaska is more walkable than Idaho.
- Alaska is similarly bike-friendly to Idaho.
- Alaska has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Alaska housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 7.84% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Alaska
Comparison | Idaho | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/55Β°F | 60Β°F/40Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/20Β°F | 30Β°F/-10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18" | 22" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 75" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Alaska. Alaska gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, 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 Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Alaska
Comparison | Idaho | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 6.93% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 21% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Alaska is 45% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate poverty in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Alaska
Comparison | Idaho | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderately Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Bipartisan with Independent Trends |
Religion | Christian Majority with a significant LDS presence | Christian Majority with diverse religious practices |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as moderately conservative
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as Christian majority with diverse religious practices
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian majority with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Alaska
Comparison | Idaho | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Washington Elementary (Boise) Highlands Elementary (Boise) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC (Anchorage) Bayshore Elementary (Anchorage) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High (Boise) East Junior High (Boise) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Borah High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) | South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) West Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Madison School District | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District |
Top Idaho to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.