New Mexico to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,864 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like arid climate vs fresher air), food & health (like Green Chile vs Salmon), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs cabin/cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab
- Alaska housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Alaska is 27.88% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Alaska movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Alaska
- Arid climate
- Dust storms
- High summer temperatures
- Limited greenery
- Rapid urban development
- Fresher air
- Scenic landscapes
- Cool summers
- Rich wildlife
- Vast wilderness
- Isolation from cities
- Harsh winters
- Limited dining options
- Fewer cultural events
- Remote access
- Rich cultural heritage
- Favorable winter temperature
- Diverse cuisine
- Vibrant arts scene
- Accessible amenities
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Alaska
- Say goodbye to arid climate and hello to fresher air
- Look forward to moving away from dust storms and moving to Alaska with scenic landscapes
- Swap the high summer temperatures of New Mexico for cool summers in Alaska
- Get ready for rich wildlife in Alaska
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural heritage in New Mexico to live with isolation from cities in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of favorable winter temperatures and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to limited dining options in Alaska
- Swap vibrant arts scene for fewer cultural events
New Mexico vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | King Crab |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burritos | Reindeer Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Tacos | Kelp Salsa |
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 Mexico to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burritos, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab and Reindeer Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kelp Salsa of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, El Modelo Mexican Foods, and Frontier Restaurant. 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 Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Alaska
Comparison | New Mexico | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Cabin/Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, rooftop solar | Access to nature, energy efficiency |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Cabin/Cottage architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and rooftop solar, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alaska is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Alaska is similarly bike-friendly to New Mexico.
- Alaska has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Alaska housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 27.88% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Alaska
Comparison | New Mexico | 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 | Wildfires, Flooding | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 74 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Alaska. Alaska gets 46% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in New Mexico, 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 32 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alaska. Alaska receives 8 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Alaska
Comparison | New Mexico | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 1.7 - 4.9 | 0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78 | 1.18 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.8 | 1.8 |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Oil & Gas, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Lower |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 48% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in Alaska is 37% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is lower in Alaska compared to significant in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Alaska
Comparison | New Mexico | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of liberal & conservative areas, with urban areas tending more liberal | Conservative with exceptions in some larger cities |
Religion | Primarily Catholic, with a significant Protestant presence | Mixed, with a large number of non-affiliated individuals |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a large number of non-affiliated individuals
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic, with a significant Protestant presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Alaska
Comparison | New Mexico | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pinon Elementary - Santa Fe Wood Gormley Elementary - Santa Fe Double Eagle Elementary - Albuquerque | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle School - Roswell Desert Ridge Middle School - Albuquerque Jefferson Middle School - Albuquerque | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High School - Albuquerque Cleveland High School - Rio Rancho Los Alamos High School - Los Alamos | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Eagle River High School - Eagle River |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Santa Fe Preparatory School - Santa Fe Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Bosque School - Albuquerque Menaul School - Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Santa Fe Public Schools | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Juneau School District |
Top New Mexico to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.