Movers

North Carolina to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 3,609 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs log cabins, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern NC barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
  • Rent in Alaska is 0.57% more expensive than in North Carolina
  • Our top recommended North Carolina to Alaska movers is Just Move It, LLC

North Carolina to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Alaska

ConsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • High summer humidity
  • Crowded urban areas
  • Hurricane threats
  • Pollen allergies
  • Limited winter activities
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Cooler summer temperatures
  • Vast open spaces
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Pristine air quality
  • Rich winter sports culture

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Remote lifestyle
  • Higher cost of goods
  • Cold temperatures
  • Limited golf courses
  • Lesser dining choices
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Friendly southern culture
  • Accessible amenities
  • Popular beaches
  • Year-round golf courses
  • Diverse dining scene

Pros of moving from North Carolina to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to cooler summer temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from crowded urban areas and moving to Alaska with vast open spaces
  • Swap the hurricane threats of North Carolina for the Aurora Borealis in Alaska
  • Get ready for pristine air quality in Alaska

Cons of moving from North Carolina to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the friendly southern culture in North Carolina to live with a remote lifestyle in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of accessible amenities and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of goods
  • Time to bid farewell to popular beaches and get used to the cold temperatures in Alaska
  • Swap year-round golf courses for limited golf courses

North Carolina vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemPulled pork BBQSalmon
Most popular meat dishEastern NC barbecueReindeer sausage
Most popular street food itemBoiled peanutsKing crab legs
Most popular vegan foodCollard greensWild berries
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Skylight Inn
  • Acme Food & Beverage Co.
  • Buxton Hall Barbecue
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Glacier BrewHouse
  • Snow City Cafe
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from North Carolina to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Pulled pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC barbecue and sumptuous Boiled peanuts, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer sausage and King crab legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild berries of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like The Skylight Inn, Acme Food & Beverage Co., and Buxton Hall Barbecue. 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, Glacier BrewHouse, and Snow City Cafe.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Alaska

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanLog cabins, Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious backyards, Granite countertopsMountain views, Private docks
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Log cabins and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and granite countertops, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and private docks.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Alaska is less walkable than North Carolina.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Alaska is less bike-friendly than North Carolina.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than North Carolina.
  • Alaska housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in North Carolina with a median home price of $354,563 compared to North Carolina's $329,225.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 0.57% more expensive than in North Carolina.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Alaska

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (°F)88°/66°60°/40°
Average Winter High/Low (°F)50°/30°20°/-10°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5022
Annual Snowfall (Inches)575
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Alaska. Alaska gets 29% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, 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 28 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
  • The average winter lows in Alaska are 40 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Alaska

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$67,481$88,121
Cost of Living Index95.85132.6
State Income Tax5.250
Avg. Property Tax0.851.19
Avg. Sales Tax6.750
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, TechnologyOil, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 31% more than in North Carolina
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 38% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in North Carolina
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in North Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and high in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Alaska

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Political Make-upPurple, leaning RepublicanLeans Republican
Local PoliticsSplit between urban Democratic and rural Republican areasIndependent-minded, with significant Libertarian streak
ReligionLargely Christian, with a significant Baptist presence NC BaptistDiverse, less religious overall but with pockets of Christian and Indigenous spiritual practices
  • North Carolina tends to lean purple, leaning Republican in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse, less religious overall but with pockets of Christian and Indigenous spiritual practices
  • North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant Baptist presence

Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Alaska

ComparisonNorth CarolinaAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
Duke University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMetrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte)
Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville)
Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte)
Aurora Elementary School (Anchorage)
Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage)
Watershed Charter School (Fairbanks)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCommunity House Middle School (Charlotte)
Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte)
Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill)
Rommig Middle School (Anchorage)
Goldenview Middle School (Anchorage)
Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak)
Top 3 High School SchoolsNorth Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
Early College at Guilford (Greensboro)
West High School (Anchorage)
South Anchorage High School (Anchorage)
Dimond High School (Anchorage)
Top 3 private high schoolsCharlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Ravenscroft School (Raleigh)
Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage)
Grace Christian School (Anchorage)
Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCary Academy (Cary)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage)
Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak)
Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage)
Top 3 School DistrictsChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Watauga County Schools
Union County Public Schools
Anchorage School District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Top North Carolina to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Alaska

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Raleigh Moving Company featured image

Raleigh Moving Company

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details

Charlotte to Alaska

Raleigh to Alaska

Greensboro to Alaska

Durham to Alaska

Winston-Salem to Alaska

Fayetteville to Alaska

Cary to Alaska