Kentucky to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 3,329 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs milder summer temperatures), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab Legs
- Alaska housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Alaska is 33.06% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Alaska movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Alaska
- High summer humidity
- Limited wildlife diversity
- Lack of mountains
- Populated urban areas
- Few daylight variations
- Milder summer temperatures
- Rich wildlife experiences
- Spectacular mountain views
- Vast open spaces
- Unique daylight extremes
- Harsh winter conditions
- Remote lifestyle
- Limited shopping options
- Expensive utilities
- Sparse vegetation
- Moderate winters
- Rooted cultural traditions
- Accessible amenities
- Established infrastructure
- Lush greenery
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Alaska
- Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to milder summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited wildlife diversity and moving to Alaska with rich wildlife experiences
- Swap the lack of mountains in Kentucky for spectacular mountain views in Alaska
- Get ready for vast open spaces in Alaska
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from moderate winters in Kentucky to live with harsh winter conditions in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of rooted cultural traditions and have to settle for the con of a remote lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to accessible amenities and get used to limited shopping options in Alaska
- Swap established infrastructure for expensive utilities
Kentucky vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | King Crab Legs |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Reindeer Hot Dog |
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 Kentucky to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab Legs and Reindeer Hot Dog 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 Kentucky eateries like Ramsey's Diner, Hermitage Farm, and 610 Magnolia. 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 Kincaid's.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Alaska
Comparison | Kentucky | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Ranch, Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic homes | Views, access to nature |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Cabin architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and historic homes, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like views and access to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Alaska is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Alaska housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 33.06% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Alaska
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 22 (varies widely across the state) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11 | 75 (varies widely across the state) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Alaska. Alaska gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 27 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 26 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Alaska
Comparison | Kentucky | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 48% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Alaska is 51% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Kentucky and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Alaska
Comparison | Kentucky | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Independent leaning; Mix of Conservative and Liberal |
Local Politics | <a href="https://elect.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky's wide-ranging local political dynamics</a> | Alaska's unique local and state government structure |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a strong presence of Southern Baptists | Diverse; Largest groups include Evangelical Protestants, Catholics, and non-religious |
- Kentucky tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as independent leaning and a mix of Conservative and Liberal
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse, with the largest groups including Evangelical Protestants, Catholics, and the non-religious
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a strong presence of Southern Baptists
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Alaska
Comparison | Kentucky | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Veteranβs Park Elementary (Lexington) Stopher Elementary (Louisville) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Aquarian Charter School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winburn Middle School (Lexington) Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas) | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) |
Top 3 High School Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell) | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Eagle River High School (Eagle River) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) Trinity High School (Louisville) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Kentucky to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.