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Idaho to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Harsh winter conditions
  • Population growth pressures
  • Seasonal wildfires
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Higher wage jobs
  • Stunning winter landscapes
  • Vast open spaces
  • Reduced wildfire risks

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Higher cost of living
  • Extreme winter cold
  • Remote area challenges
  • Fewer urban amenities
Idaho iconIdaho
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesAlaskan Salmon
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemHuckleberry Jam-filled DonutsKing Crab Legs
Most popular vegan foodWild Mushroom StewKelp Pickles
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Snow City Cafe
  • Orso
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 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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleModern and RanchLog cabins and 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 listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsProximity 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 Idaho’s $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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
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, FloodsEarthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/55Β°F60Β°F/40Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F/20Β°F30Β°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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
Avg. Household Income$72,785$88,121
Cost of Living Index91.5132.6
State Income Tax6.93%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.69%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Technology, ManufacturingOil, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
Political Make-upConservativeModerately Conservative
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceBipartisan with Independent Trends
ReligionChristian Majority with a significant LDS presenceChristian 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

ComparisonIdahoAlaska
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 SchoolsLongfellow Elementary (Boise)
Washington Elementary (Boise)
Highlands Elementary (Boise)
Aurora Elementary (Anchorage)
Northern Lights ABC (Anchorage)
Bayshore Elementary (Anchorage)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth 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 SchoolsBoise 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsBoise 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.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Alaska

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Boise Local Boys Moving Company featured image

Boise Local Boys Moving Company

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Alaska Routes

Boise to Alaska