Massachusetts to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 3,461 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs King Crab), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs log cabin, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Boston Baked Beans, but get your taste buds ready for King Crab & Salmon
- Alaska housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Alaska is 31.39% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Alaska movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Alaska
- High cost of living
- Winter snowstorms
- Traffic congestion
- Limited wilderness
- Dense urban areas
- Affordable housing
- Stunning natural beauty
- Spacious roads
- Expansive outdoor recreation
- Friendly communities
- Isolated location
- Limited cuisine variety
- Fewer job opportunities
- Spread-out amenities
- Long winters
- Rich historical sites
- Diverse dining options
- Robust job market
- Convenient public transport
- Cultural landmarks
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Alaska
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from winter snowstorms and moving to Alaska with stunning natural beauty
- Swap the traffic congestion of Massachusetts for spacious roads in Alaska
- Get ready for expansive outdoor recreation in Alaska
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich historical sites in Massachusetts to live with an isolated location in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of limited cuisine variety
- Time to bid farewell to a robust job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in Alaska
- Swap convenient public transport for spread-out amenities
Massachusetts vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | King Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Boston Baked Beans | Salmon |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Alaska Bowl |
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 Massachusetts to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious King Crab of Alaska. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Boston Baked Beans and sumptuous Lobster Roll, Alaska residents know they have tasty Salmon and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Alaska Bowl of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Harborside, Neptune Oyster, and Omni Parker House. 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 Kincaid's.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Alaska
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Log Cabin, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly features, Proximity to education and healthcare | Natural views, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and proximity to education and healthcare, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Alaska housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 31.39% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Alaska
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Snowstorms, Hurricanes | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 60Β°F / 40Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 30Β°F / 19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43.5" | 22" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 74" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to Alaska. Alaska gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Massachusetts, 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 20 degrees colder than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows in Alaska are 3 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 21.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Alaska
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.2% | 1.0% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Technology | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 7% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Alaska will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to prosperous in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Massachusetts and low in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Alaska
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies, strong support for education and healthcare | Conservative policies, emphasis on personal freedom and resource development |
Religion | Catholic (largest group) | Unaffiliated (largest group) |
- Massachusetts tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as unaffiliated (largest group)
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic (largest group)
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Alaska
Comparison | Massachusetts | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Day Elementary (Newton) Brackett Elementary (Arlington) Ambrose Elementary (Winchester) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC K-8 School (Anchorage) Chugach Optional Elementary School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Amigos School (Cambridge) William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) | Goldenview Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) |
Top 3 High Schools | Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science (Worcester) Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) Milton Academy (Milton) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | British International School of Boston (Boston) Dexter Southfield (Brookline) The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District |
Top Massachusetts to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Alaska