Maryland to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

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
- Hot summers
- High humidity
- Dense urban areas
- Traffic congestion
- Cooler summers
- Dry air
- Spacious landscapes
- Less traffic
- Limited historical sites
- Frigid winters
- Isolation
- Limited amenities
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Blue Crab | Wild Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Pit Beef | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Crab Cakes | Smoked Salmon |
Most popular vegan food | Stuffed Avocado | 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 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
Comparison | Maryland | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Log Cabin, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, updated kitchens | Mountain 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 Marylandβs $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
Comparison | Maryland | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 62Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 29Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.7 | 22.5 (varies widely) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5 | 65+ (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
Comparison | Maryland | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, IT, Healthcare | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Highly engaged in local issues | Focus on autonomy and state rights |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity 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
Comparison | Maryland | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Fulton 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 Schools | Thomas 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 Schools | Walt 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 schools | Gilman 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 schools | Glenelg 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 Districts | Howard 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.