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Illinois to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 3,013 mile interstate move from Illinois to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs no state income tax), food & health (like Deep Dish Pizza vs Salmon), real estate & housing (georgian and prairie vs log cabin and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Deep Dish Pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 38% more expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Alaska is 0.50% more affordable than in Illinois
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Alaska movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

Illinois to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Alaska

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • High property taxes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hot summers
  • Lack of natural wonders
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • No state income tax
  • Less crowded roads
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Spectacular landscapes

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Limited urban amenities
  • Fewer dining options
  • Remote locations
  • Limited cultural venues
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Vibrant city life
  • Access to diverse cuisine
  • Plenty of entertainment
  • Rich history and culture

Pros of moving from Illinois to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to no state income tax
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Alaska with less crowded roads
  • Swap the hot summers of Illinois for cooler temperatures in Alaska
  • Get ready for spectacular landscapes in Alaska

Cons of moving from Illinois to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant city life in Illinois to live with limited urban amenities in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of access to diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to plenty of entertainment and get used to remote locations in Alaska
  • Swap rich history and culture for limited cultural venues

Illinois vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
Most iconic local food itemDeep Dish PizzaSalmon
Most popular meat dishItalian BeefReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemChicago-style Hot DogKing Crab Legs
Most popular vegan foodChicago-style Vegan Deep DishSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
  • The Salmon Hookup
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Glacier Brewhouse
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 Illinois to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago-style Vegan Deep Dish 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 Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like The Salmon Hookup, Simon and Seafort's, and Glacier Brewhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Alaska

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleGeorgian and PrairieLog Cabin 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 listingHardwood floors, granite countertopsWood stoves, scenic views
  • The Georgian and Prairie architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like wood stoves and scenic views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Alaska is less walkable than Illinois.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Alaska is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
  • Alaska housing costs are 38% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 0.50% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGenerally GoodVaries widely by region, Generally Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F60Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 22Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39 inches22 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)22 inches75 inches (varies widely)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Illinois to Alaska. Alaska gets 21% fewer sunshine days than Illinois.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Illinois.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, 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 Illinois.
  • The average winter lows are 32 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 17 inches less rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Alaska

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
Avg. Household Income$76,708$88,121
Cost of Living Index94.25132.6
State Income Tax4.95%0%
Avg. Property Tax2.16%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax8.83%1.76%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AgricultureOil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 15% more than in Illinois
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 41% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Illinois
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Illinois
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Alaska

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse, urban areas more liberalLocal interests often focus on natural resources
ReligionProtestant, CatholicProtestant, unaffiliated
  • Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as Protestant and unaffiliated
  • Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Alaska

ComparisonIllinoisAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary School
Naperville; South Loop Elementary School
Chicago; Meadow Glens Elementary School
Naperville
Aurora Elementary School
Anchorage; Northern Lights ABC K-8 School
Anchorage; Aquarian Charter School
Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWood Oaks Junior High School
Northbrook; Twin Groves Middle School
Buffalo Grove; Maple School
Northbrook
Mears Middle School
Anchorage; Gruening Middle School
Eagle River; Mirror Lake Middle School
Chugiak
Top 3 High School SchoolsAdlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire; Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago; New Trier High School
Winnetka
West High School
Anchorage; South Anchorage High School
Anchorage; Service High School
Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsUniversity of Chicago Lab School
Chicago; North Shore Country Day
Winnetka; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago
Grace Christian School
Anchorage; Holy Rosary Academy
Anchorage; Anchorage Christian Schools
Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLake Forest Academy
Lake Forest; Morgan Park Academy
Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago
Pacific Northern Academy
Anchorage; Birchwood Christian School
Chugiak; Cook Inlet Academy
Soldotna
Top 3 School DistrictsNew Trier Township HSD 203
Northfield; Niles Township Community High School District 219
Skokie; Township High School District 214
Arlington Heights
Anchorage School District
Anchorage; Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Palmer; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna

Top Illinois to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Alaska

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details

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