Minnesota to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 2,518 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs stunning landscapes), food & health (like Hotdish vs Salmon), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs log cabin, contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Wild rice burger, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Alaska is 4.53% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Alaska movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Alaska
- Harsh winters
- Flat terrain
- Dense population
- High humidity
- Stunning landscapes
- Mountain ranges
- Open spaces
- Cooler climate
- Remote towns
- Limited amenities
- Isolation
- Extended winters
- Numerous parks
- Vibrant cities
- Strong community
- Diverse seasons
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Alaska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to stunning landscapes
- Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Alaska with mountain ranges
- Swap the dense population of Minnesota for open spaces in Alaska
- Get ready for a cooler climate in Alaska
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from numerous parks in Minnesota to live with remote towns in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant cities and have to settle for the con of limited amenities
- Time to bid farewell to a strong community and get used to isolation in Alaska
- Swap diverse seasons for extended winters
Minnesota vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Wild rice burger | Reindeer sausage |
Most popular street food item | Mini Donuts | King crab legs |
Most popular vegan food | Grain bowls | 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 Minnesota to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Wild Rice Burger and sumptuous Mini Donuts, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls 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 Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Hell's Kitchen. 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 Slippery Salmon, and Snow City Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Alaska
Comparison | Minnesota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Log Cabin, Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Large yards | Mountain views, Wildlife proximity |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Contemporary architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and large yards, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to wildlife.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Alaska housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 4.53% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Alaska
Comparison | Minnesota | 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) | 83/63 | 60/40 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23/-3 | 20/-10 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to Alaska. Alaska gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota, 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 23 degrees colder than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Alaska
Comparison | Minnesota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | N/A |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 1.18% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.4% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Oil, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 7% more than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Alaska will be 34% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in AK is n/a compared to 6.5% in MN
- The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and higher in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Alaska
Comparison | Minnesota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate with urban areas leaning more liberal | Mixture of conservative and libertarian, with variability in local governance |
Religion | Christianity predominant, significant Lutheran presence | Christianity predominant, diverse denominational presence |
- Minnesota 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 predominantly Christianity with a diverse denominational presence
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a significant Lutheran presence
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Alaska
Comparison | Minnesota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Maple Grove Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka | Aurora Elementary Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage Aquarian Charter School Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Stillwater | Rommig Middle School Anchorage Goldenview Middle School Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School Chugiak |
Top 3 High School Schools | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka Eden Prairie High School Eden Prairie Edina High School Edina | West High School Anchorage South Anchorage High School Anchorage Dimond High School Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Golden Valley The Blake School Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis | Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage Lumen Christi High School Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School Minneapolis Breck School Golden Valley Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis | Pacific Northern Academy Anchorage Grace Christian School Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District Wayzata Public Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Minnesota to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.