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Montana to Alaska Moving Guide

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Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,031 mile interstate move from Montana to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme winters vs beautiful scenery), food & health (like Bison steak vs King Crab), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs ranch, cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burger, but get your taste buds ready for King Crab & Salmon
  • Alaska housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in Alaska is 23.61% more expensive than in Montana
  • Our top recommended Montana to Alaska movers is Moving On Up
Montana to Alaska featured image

Top Montana to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

Best moving company overall for Montana to Alaska

8.80/10
Superb
RUNNER-UP
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.55/10
Fabulous
ALSO GREAT
A Team Moving and Storage featured image

A Team Moving and Storage

8.29/10
Very Good

Montana to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Alaska

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Extreme winters
  • Limited job market
  • Distance from ocean
  • Low diversity
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Beautiful scenery
  • Unique wildlife
  • Access to fisheries
  • Cultural experiences

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Higher cost of living
  • Earthquakes
  • Higher prices
  • Limited infrastructure
Montana iconMontana
  • Less remote
  • Calmer weather
  • Stronger economy
  • Accessible roadways

Pros of moving from Montana to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to extreme winters and hello to beautiful scenery
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Alaska with unique wildlife
  • Swap the distance from the ocean in Montana for access to fisheries in Alaska
  • Get ready for cultural experiences in Alaska

Cons of moving from Montana to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a less remote area in Montana to live with a higher cost of living in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of calmer weather and have to settle for the con of earthquakes
  • Time to bid farewell to a stronger economy and get used to higher prices in Alaska
  • Swap accessible roadways for limited infrastructure

Montana vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemBison steakKing Crab
Most popular meat dishElk burgerSalmon
Most popular street food itemHuckleberry pieReindeer sausage
Most popular vegan foodLentil stewSeaweed salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lucca's Steakhouse
  • Montana Brewing Company
  • Ciao Mambo
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Snow City Cafe
  • Glacier Brewhouse
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 Montana to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious King Crab of Alaska. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burger and sumptuous Huckleberry pie, Alaska residents know they have tasty Salmon and Reindeer sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil stew 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 Montana eateries like Lucca's Steakhouse, Montana Brewing Company, and Ciao Mambo. 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 Glacier Brewhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Alaska

ComparisonMontanaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanRanch, Cabin
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 listingBig sky views, spacious landNatural scenery, proximity to wilderness
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Cabin architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference big sky views and spacious land, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural scenery and proximity to wilderness.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Montana.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Montana.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Montana.
  • Alaska housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 23.61% more expensive than in Montana.

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

ComparisonMontanaAlaska
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 DisastersWildfires, FloodingEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityGoodVaries
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 45Β°F62Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F / 17Β°F22Β°F / 6Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1522
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4875
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Alaska. Alaska gets 21% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in Montana, 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 20 degrees colder than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Alaska

ComparisonMontanaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$67,631$88,121
Cost of Living Index99.4132.6
State Income Tax6.9%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax0%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, MiningOil & Gas, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 30% more than those in Montana
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 33% higher than what you are used to living in Montana
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Montana
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and low in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Alaska

ComparisonMontanaAlaska
Political Make-upLean ConservativeMixed, with both Conservative and Liberal areas
Local PoliticsSignificant focus on land use and environmental policiesDiverse, with emphasis on Indigenous rights and natural resource management
ReligionChristian dominance, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communitiesVaried, with a strong presence of Christian, Indigenous spiritual practices, and a notable Russian Orthodox community
  • Montana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Conservative and Liberal areas
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as varied, with a strong presence of Christian, Indigenous spiritual practices, and a notable Russian Orthodox community
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominance, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communities
Top Montana to Alaska Routes

Billings to Alaska