Maine to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 3,358 mile interstate move from Maine to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs breathtaking landscapes), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs log cabin, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Alaska is 4.11% more affordable than in Maine
- Our top recommended Maine to Alaska movers is SC Moving Services
Maine to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Alaska
- Harsh winters
- Limited wilderness
- High taxes
- Small population
- Breathtaking landscapes
- Abundant wildlife
- No state sales tax
- Active outdoor community
- Remote areas
- Limited dining options
- Isolation
- Harsh weather
- Coastal living
- Famous lobster cuisine
- New England charm
- Cultural festivals
Pros of moving from Maine to Alaska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to breathtaking landscapes
- Look forward to moving away from limited wilderness and moving to Alaska with abundant wildlife
- Swap the high taxes of Maine for no state sales tax in Alaska
- Get ready for an active outdoor community in Alaska
Cons of moving from Maine to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal living in Maine to live with remote areas in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of famous lobster cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited dining options
- Time to bid farewell to New England charm and get used to isolation in Alaska
- Swap cultural festivals for harsh weather
Maine vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Pie | 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 Maine to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian 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 Blueberry Pie 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 Maine eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Duckfat. 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 Homer Inn & Spa and Restaurant, and Moose's Tooth Pub.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska, compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Alaska
Comparison | Maine | 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 | Proximity to nature, Waterfront | Views, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to nature and waterfront, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than Maine.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than Maine.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Maine.
- Alaska housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Not enough data to generate comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 4.11% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Alaska
Comparison | Maine | 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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70-80 / 50-60 | 60-70 / 40-50 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20-30 / 10-20 | 0-30 / -10-10 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40-50 | 10-60+, Varies widely |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 50-70 | 70-200+ |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to Alaska. Alaska gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
- Alaska has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Maine, 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 10 degrees colder than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Alaska
Comparison | Maine | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 5.8% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.3% | 1.2% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Tourism | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 27% more than those in Maine
- The COLI in Alaska will be 14% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate poverty in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Alaska
Comparison | Maine | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas | Conservative in rural regions |
Religion | Christianity, but highly secular overall | Christianity with notable indigenous spiritual practices |
- Maine 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 Christianity with notable indigenous spiritual practices
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity but highly secular overall
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Alaska
Comparison | Maine | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Colby College Bates College | University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Elementary Cumberland Elementary | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Trailside Elementary - Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Middle School Falmouth Middle School Cape Elizabeth Middle School | Mears Middle School - Anchorage Romig Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage |
Top 3 High School Schools | Yarmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School Falmouth High School | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School Dimond High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School - Portland John Bapst Memorial High School - Bangor Cheverus High School - Portland | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School - Portland North Yarmouth Academy - Yarmouth Maine Central Institute - Pittsfield | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School District Scarborough School District Yarmouth Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Maine to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.