Michigan to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,927 mile interstate move from Michigan to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs northern lights), food & health (like Pasties vs King Crab), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs log homes, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for King Crab & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Alaska is 20.09% more expensive than in Michigan
- Our top recommended Michigan to Alaska movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Alaska
- Long winters
- Overcrowded cities
- Flat landscapes
- Limited wildlife
- Northern lights
- Vast open spaces
- Mountainous beauty
- Abundant wildlife
- Isolation
- High cost of living
- Limited amenities
- Short summers
- Friendly communities
- Diverse culture
- Thriving arts scene
- Four distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Michigan to Alaska
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to northern lights
- Look forward to moving away from overcrowded cities and moving to Alaska with vast open spaces
- Swap the flat landscapes of Michigan for mountainous beauty in Alaska
- Get ready for abundant wildlife in Alaska
Cons of moving from Michigan to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly communities in Michigan to live with isolation in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of high cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to a thriving arts scene and get used to limited amenities in Alaska
- Swap four distinct seasons for short summers
Michigan vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | King Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Coney Island Hot Dog | Wild Alaskan Salmon Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Burger | Kelp Salsa |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Michigan to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious King Crab of Alaska. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Island Hot Dog, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and Wild Alaskan Salmon Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kelp Salsa of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Deli, Slows Bar BQ, and Bell's Eccentric Cafe. 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 The Hangar on the Wharf.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Alaska
Comparison | Michigan | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Log homes, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside access, Great Lakes proximity | Mountain views, Proximity to nature/parks |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Log homes and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside access and Great Lakes proximity, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature and parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Alaska housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 20.09% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Alaska
Comparison | Michigan | 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, Blizzards | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 59Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 19Β°F / -2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 22.5 (Varies widely) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 74.5 (Varies widely) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Michigan to Alaska. Alaska gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Michigan.
- Alaska has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and avalanches in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 21 degrees colder than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 10.3 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Alaska
Comparison | Michigan | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automotive | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Lesser |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 32% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Alaska will be 45% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is higher compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to noticeable poverty in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Michigan and lesser in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Alaska
Comparison | Michigan | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a mix of liberal and conservative regions | Largely considered conservative, with Republican dominance but some Democratic regions |
Local Politics | Local politics often align with the state's diverse political landscape, varying significantly from city to city. | Local politics tend to focus on issues like resource management, native rights, and environmental policies. |
Religion | Christian majority, with a diverse range of other religious practices | High proportion of Christians, particularly Evangelical; also a significant number of individuals with no religious affiliation |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state with a mix of liberal and conservative regions in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as largely considered conservative with Republican dominance and some Democratic regions
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as having a high proportion of Christians, particularly Evangelical, and also a significant number of individuals with no religious affiliation
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a diverse range of other religious practices
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Alaska
Comparison | Michigan | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Angell Elementary (Ann Arbor) Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Watershed Charter School (Fairbanks) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Clague Middle School (Ann Arbor) East Middle School (Grand Rapids) | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Randy Smith Middle School (Fairbanks) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Northville High School (Northville) | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Eagle River High School (Eagle River) |
Top 3 private high schools | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Waldorf School (Detroit) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Ann Arbor Public Schools East Grand Rapids Public Schools | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District |
Top Michigan to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.