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Indiana to Alaska Moving Guide

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Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 3,134 mile interstate move from Indiana to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flat landscape vs scenic mountains), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Alaskan King Crab), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef and Noodles, but get your taste buds ready for Alaskan King Crab & Salmon
  • Alaska housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Indiana
  • Rent in Alaska is 29.09% more expensive than in Indiana
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Alaska movers is MVM Moving & Storage
Indiana to Alaska featured image

Top Indiana to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Alaska

9.23/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Bulldogs Moving Co. featured image

Bulldogs Moving Co.

9.14/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville

8.92/10
Superb

Indiana to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Alaska

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Flat landscape
  • Humid summers
  • Lack of wilderness
  • Indiana winters
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Scenic mountains
  • Cooler summers
  • Vast wilderness
  • Spectacular winters

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Remote locations
  • Limited dining options
  • Harsh winter conditions
  • Higher living expenses
Indiana iconIndiana
  • Familiar neighborhoods
  • Midwestern cuisine
  • Mild summer storms
  • Affordable cost of living

Pros of moving from Indiana to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to flat landscape and hello to scenic mountains
  • Look forward to moving away from humid summers and moving to Alaska with cooler summers
  • Swap the lack of wilderness in Indiana for vast wilderness in Alaska
  • Get ready for spectacular winters in Alaska

Cons of moving from Indiana to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from familiar neighborhoods in Indiana to live with remote locations in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Midwestern cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to mild summer storms and get used to harsh winter conditions in Alaska
  • Swap affordable cost of living for higher living expenses

Indiana vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichAlaskan King Crab
Most popular meat dishBeef and NoodlesSalmon
Most popular street food itemElephant EarsReindeer Sausage
Most popular vegan foodVegetarian Hoosier PieVegan Alaskan Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Gray Brothers Cafeteria
  • Bluebeard
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 Indiana to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Alaskan King Crab of Alaska. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef and Noodles and sumptuous Elephant Ears, Alaska residents know they have tasty Salmon and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Hoosier Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Alaskan Bowl of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Gray Brothers Cafeteria, and Bluebeard. 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, The Hangar on the Wharf, and Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Alaska

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchCabin, Ranch
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 listingOpen floor plans, Large yardsNatural views, Proximity to nature
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and large yards, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural views and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alaska is more walkable than Indiana.
  • Alaska is similarly bike-friendly to Indiana.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
  • Alaska housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 29.09% more expensive than in Indiana.

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

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
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 QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F60Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 20Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4222 (varies by region)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2275+ (varies by region)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Indiana to Alaska. Alaska gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Indiana.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Indiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, 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 Indiana.
  • The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Indiana.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Alaska

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$66,785$88,121
Cost of Living Index92.95132.6
State Income Tax3.23%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax7%0%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, EducationOil, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 32% more than in Indiana
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 43% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Indiana
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Indiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Indiana and moderate in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Alaska

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
Political Make-upLean conservativeIndependent-leaning
Local Politics<a href="https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Indiana Election Division</a>Alaska Division of Elections
ReligionChristian majorityMixed; less religious overall
  • Indiana tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as independent-leaning
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as mixed and less religious overall
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Alaska

ComparisonIndianaAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University Bloomington - Bloomington
Purdue University - West Lafayette
Ball State University - Muncie
University of Alaska Fairbanks - Fairbanks
University of Alaska Anchorage - Anchorage
Out-of-state universities
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCrestview Elementary School - Indianapolis
Cherry Tree Elementary School - Carmel
Forest Dale Elementary School - Carmel
Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage
Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage
Kincaid Elementary School - Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastwood Middle School - Indianapolis
Fall Creek Junior High School - Fishers
Creekside Middle School - Carmel
Randy Smith Middle School - Fairbanks
Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage
Hanshew Middle School - Anchorage
Top 3 High SchoolsCarmel High School - Carmel
Zionsville Community High School - Zionsville
Hamilton Southeastern High School - Fishers
West Valley High School - Fairbanks
South Anchorage High School - Anchorage
Dimond High School - Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsPark Tudor School - Indianapolis
Cathedral High School - Indianapolis
University High School of Indiana - Carmel
Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage
Alaska Christian College - Soldotna
Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPark Tudor School - Indianapolis
The Orchard School - Indianapolis
International School of Indiana - Indianapolis
Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage
Faith Christian Community - Anchorage
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools - Carmel
Zionsville Community Schools - Zionsville
Hamilton Southeastern Schools - Fishers
Anchorage School District - Anchorage
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District - Fairbanks
Mat-Su Borough School District - Palmer

Indianapolis to Alaska

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