Kansas to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 2,825 mile interstate move from Kansas to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cool summer temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Salmon), real estate & housing (ranch vs cabin/log), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Alaska is 58.77% more expensive than in Kansas
- Our top recommended Kansas to Alaska movers is American Movers
Kansas to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Alaska
- Humid summers
- Tornadoes
- Flat landscapes
- Cool summer temperatures
- Aurora borealis
- Mountainous beauty
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Remote location
- Lower cost of living
- Mild winters
- Central location
Pros of moving from Kansas to Alaska
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to cool summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from tornadoes and moving to Alaska with the aurora borealis
- Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for the mountainous beauty in Alaska
Cons of moving from Kansas to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Kansas to live with the high cost of living in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to the central location and get used to the remote location in Alaska
Kansas vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Seaweed Salad |
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 Kansas to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket & sumptuous BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Kansas eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Rieger, and Cafe Beautiful. 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 Saloon & Grill, The Crow's Nest, and 49th State Brewing Co.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Alaska
Comparison | Kansas | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Cabin/Log |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, basements | Views, natural surroundings |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Cabin/Log architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and basements, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like views and natural surroundings.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Kansas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Alaska housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 58.77% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Alaska
Comparison | Kansas | 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 | Tornadoes, floods | Earthquakes, volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30 | 22 (varies widely) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 75 (varies widely) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Alaska. Alaska gets 35% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 30 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Alaska
Comparison | Kansas | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 3.1% - 5.7% | No state income tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.37% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Oil, Tourism, Fisheries |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 28% more than those in Kansas
- The COLI in Alaska is 44% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in AK is no state income tax compared to 3.1% - 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in Alaska is higher compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate poverty in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Alaska
Comparison | Kansas | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Strong rural influence | Mix of urban and rural |
Religion | Christianity predominant | Diverse, with Christianity also predominant |
- Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Christianity also predominant
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Alaska
Comparison | Kansas | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Corinth Elementary - Leawood Meadowbrook Elementary - Prairie Village Briarwood Elementary - Overland Park | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Indian Hills Middle - Overland Park Leawood Middle - Leawood Harmony Middle - Overland Park | Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak Gruening Middle School - Eagle River |
Top 3 High School Schools | Blue Valley North High - Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High - Prairie Village Olathe North High - Olathe | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Eagle River High School - Eagle River |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City Bishop Seabury Academy - Lawrence Saint Thomas Aquinas High School - Overland Park | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School - Wichita Cair Paravel Latin School - Topeka Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Kansas to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.