Movers

Maryland to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 3,494 mile interstate move from Maryland to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Blue Crab vs Wild Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs log cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Blue Crab and Pit Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Wild Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in Alaska is 6.63% more affordable than in Maryland
  • Our top recommended Maryland to Alaska movers is AT Movers

Maryland to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Alaska

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Hot summers
  • High humidity
  • Dense urban areas
  • Traffic congestion
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Cooler summers
  • Dry air
  • Spacious landscapes
  • Less traffic

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Limited historical sites
  • Frigid winters
  • Isolation
  • Limited amenities
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Rich history
  • Mild winters
  • Cultural diversity
  • Access to amenities

Pros of moving from Maryland to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Alaska with dry air
  • Swap the dense urban areas of Maryland for spacious landscapes in Alaska
  • Get ready for less traffic in Alaska

Cons of moving from Maryland to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Maryland to live with limited historical sites in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of frigid winters
  • Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to isolation in Alaska
  • Swap access to amenities for limited amenities

Maryland vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
Most iconic local food itemBlue CrabWild Salmon
Most popular meat dishPit BeefReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemCrab CakesSmoked Salmon
Most popular vegan foodStuffed AvocadoSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Woodberry Kitchen
  • Charleston Restaurant
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 Maryland to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Blue Crab of Maryland for the equally delicious Wild Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Crab Cakes, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and Smoked Salmon to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Stuffed Avocado 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 Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Woodberry Kitchen, and Charleston Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Simon and Seafort's, Orso, and Glacier BrewHouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Alaska

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodLog Cabin, 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 listingHardwood floors, updated kitchensMountain views, spacious lots
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and updated kitchens, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and spacious lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Maryland.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • Alaska housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 6.63% more affordable than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesEarthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F62Β°F / 51Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 29Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.722.5 (varies widely)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.565+ (varies widely)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Alaska. Alaska gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Alaska.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 25 degrees colder than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 39 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 18.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Alaska

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
Avg. Household Income$94,991$88,121
Cost of Living Index124.95132.6
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.06%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, IT, HealthcareOil, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 7% less than those in Maryland
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have to pay state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to high in Maryland
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Alaska

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsHighly engaged in local issuesFocus on autonomy and state rights
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity predominant, significant unaffiliated population
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as primarily Christianity, with a significant unaffiliated population
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, along with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Alaska

ComparisonMarylandAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
College Park
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFulton Elementary
Fulton,
Cold Spring Elementary
Potomac,
Whitehall Elementary
Bowie
Aurora Elementary
Anchorage,
Northern Lights ABC K-8 School
Anchorage,
Watershed Charter School
Fairbanks
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas W. Pyle Middle School
Bethesda,
Herbert Hoover Middle
Potomac,
Eastern Middle School
Silver Spring
Romig Middle School
Anchorage,
Goldenview Middle School
Anchorage,
Mears Middle School
Anchorage
Top 3 High SchoolsWalt Whitman High
Bethesda,
Winston Churchill High
Potomac,
Poolesville High
Poolesville
West High School
Anchorage,
South Anchorage High School
Anchorage,
Service High School
Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School
Baltimore,
Holton-Arms School
Bethesda,
McDonogh School
Owings Mills
Grace Christian School
Anchorage,
Anchorage Christian Schools
Anchorage,
Holy Rosary Academy
Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGlenelg Country School
Ellicott City,
St. Timothy's School
Stevenson,
Sandy Spring Friends School
Sandy Spring
Steller Secondary School
Anchorage,
Lumen Christi High School
Anchorage,
Pacific Northern Academy
Anchorage
Top 3 School DistrictsHoward County Public School System
Montgomery County Public Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Top Maryland to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Alaska

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AB Secure Moving LLC. featured image

AB Secure Moving LLC.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Maryland to Alaska Routes

Baltimore to Alaska