North Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Flat terrain
- Remote areas
- Stunning landscapes
- Rich wildlife
- Mountainous views
- Adventure activities
- Higher cost of living
- Remote living
- Severe weather
- High travel costs
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | King Crab legs |
Most popular street food item | Taco in a Bag | Reindeer sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Seaweed Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Log cabin, ranch |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, energy efficiency | Scenic 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Floods | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 82°F/57°F | 60°F/44°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 18°F/-2°F | 30°F/19°F (varies greatly) |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 inches | 22 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 inches | 75 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 1.1% - 2.9% | None |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.99% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.07% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Technology | Oil, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Mixed, with a tilt towards Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative on most issues | Independent streak with a focus on individual rights and environmental issues |
Religion | Christian, predominantly Lutheran | Christian, 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Freedom 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 Schools | Ben 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 Schools | Fargo 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 schools | Shanley 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 schools | Oak 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 Districts | Fargo 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.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Alaska