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North Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 2,281 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs stunning landscapes), food & health (like Lefse vs Salmon), real estate & housing (ranch vs log cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab legs
  • Alaska housing costs are 40% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Alaska is 70.67% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Alaska movers is Two Men and a Truck

North Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Alaska

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Flat terrain
  • Remote areas
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Stunning landscapes
  • Rich wildlife
  • Mountainous views
  • Adventure activities

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Higher cost of living
  • Remote living
  • Severe weather
  • High travel costs
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Friendly communities
  • Agricultural industry
  • Simple lifestyle
  • Affordable homes

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to stunning landscapes
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Alaska with rich wildlife
  • Swap the flat terrain of North Dakota for mountainous views in Alaska
  • Get ready for adventure activities in Alaska

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly communities in North Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of the agricultural industry and have to settle for the con of remote living
  • Time to bid farewell to a simple lifestyle and get used to severe weather in Alaska
  • Swap affordable homes for high travel costs

North Dakota vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemLefseSalmon
Most popular meat dishBison steakKing Crab legs
Most popular street food itemTaco in a BagReindeer sausage
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Pitmasters BBQ
  • The Lost Italian
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Kinley's
  • Glacier Brewhouse
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from North Dakota to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Taco in a Bag, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab legs and Reindeer sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger 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 North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pitmasters BBQ, and The Lost Italian. 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, Kinley's, and Glacier Brewhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Alaska

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleRanchLog cabin, ranch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, energy efficiencyScenic views, proximity to nature
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Log cabin and ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and energy efficiency, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than North Dakota.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Alaska housing costs are 40% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to North Dakota's $253,395.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 70.67% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersBlizzards, FloodsEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)82°F/57°F60°F/44°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)18°F/-2°F30°F/19°F (varies greatly)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17 inches22 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)48 inches75 inches
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Alaska. Alaska gets 24% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota and be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and avalanches in Alaska.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 22 degrees colder than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in Alaska are 21 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 5 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Alaska

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$71,970$88,121
Cost of Living Index95.3132.6
State Income Tax1.1% - 2.9%None
Avg. Property Tax0.99%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax5.07%1.76%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, TechnologyOil, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 22% more than those in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 39% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in AK is none compared to 1.1% to 2.9% in ND
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Alaska

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Political Make-upLean RepublicanMixed, with a tilt towards Republican
Local PoliticsConservative on most issuesIndependent streak with a focus on individual rights and environmental issues
ReligionChristian, predominantly LutheranChristian, with a sizable percentage of non-religious residents
  • North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a tilt towards Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as Christian with a sizable percentage of non-religious residents
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, predominantly Lutheran

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Alaska

ComparisonNorth DakotaAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Liberty Elementary (Bismarck)
Centennial Elementary (Fargo)
Aquarian Charter School (Anchorage)
Northern Lights ABC K-8 School (Anchorage)
Rilke Schule German Charter School (Anchorage)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Discovery Middle School (Fargo)
Mears Middle School (Anchorage)
Romig Middle School (Anchorage)
Colony Middle School (Palmer)
Top 3 High School SchoolsFargo North High School (Fargo)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks)
West Anchorage High School (Anchorage)
South Anchorage High School (Anchorage)
Dimond High School (Anchorage)
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School (Fargo)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Light of Christ Catholic Schools (Bismarck)
Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage)
Grace Christian School (Anchorage)
Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Legacy Christian School (Fargo)
Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage)
Far North Christian School (Fairbanks)
Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak)
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Top North Dakota to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Alaska

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Midwest Moving Company featured image

Midwest Moving Company

8.36/10
Very GoodView details
Top North Dakota to Alaska Routes

Fargo to Alaska