New Jersey to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 3,504 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable property prices), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 31% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Alaska is 28.94% more affordable than New Jersey
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Alaska movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Alaska
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Limited outdoor activities
- Affordable property prices
- Less congestion
- Abundant nature trails
- Remote location
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited public transit
- Rich cultural diversity
- Vibrant nightlife
- Accessible public transport
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Alaska
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable property prices
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Alaska with less congestion
- Swap the limited outdoor activities of New Jersey for abundant nature trails in Alaska
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural diversity in New Jersey to live with a remote location in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
- Time to bid farewell to accessible public transport and get used to limited public transit in Alaska
New Jersey vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Panini | 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 New Jersey to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Panini 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 New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Diner, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. 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 Crab Pot, and Moose's Tooth.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Alaska
Comparison | New Jersey | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Cabin, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, upgraded kitchens | Privacy, scenic views |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and upgraded kitchens, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like privacy and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than New Jersey.
- Alaska is similarly bike-friendly to New Jersey.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Alaska housing costs are 31% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 28.94% more affordable than New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Alaska
Comparison | New Jersey | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 0Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 74 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Alaska. Alaska gets 26% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in New Jersey, 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 25 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 35 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Alaska
Comparison | New Jersey | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 1.18% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Telecommunications | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 9% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Alaska is 2% higher than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Alaska
Comparison | New Jersey | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Diverse | Libertarian tendencies |
Religion | Mixed, with a high Catholic presence | Diverse, Protestant majority |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse with a Protestant majority
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a high Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Alaska
Comparison | New Jersey | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Wandell School Saddle River; Princeton Charter School Princeton | Aurora Elementary School Anchorage; Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage; Aquarian Charter School Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Princeton Charter School Princeton; Community Middle School Plainsboro; Thomas R. Grover Middle School West Windsor | Mears Middle School Anchorage; Romig Middle School Anchorage; Goldenview Middle School Anchorage |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School Lincroft; Bergen County Academies Hackensack; Princeton High School Princeton | West High School Anchorage; South Anchorage High School Anchorage; Dimond High School Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville; The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Newark Academy Livingston | Lumen Christi High School Anchorage; Grace Christian School Anchorage; Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville; The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Dwight-Englewood School Englewood | Pacific Northern Academy Anchorage; Birchwood Christian School Chugiak; Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Summit Public Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top New Jersey to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.