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New Mexico to Alaska Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 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
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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.

TOP PICK
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Alaska

9.39/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.61/10
Fabulous
ALSO GREAT
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Pro-Move Logistics

8.08/10
Good

New Mexico to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Alaska

ConsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Arid climate
  • Dust storms
  • High summer temperatures
  • Limited greenery
  • Rapid urban development
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Fresher air
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Cool summers
  • Rich wildlife
  • Vast wilderness

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Isolation from cities
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited dining options
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Remote access
New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
Most iconic local food itemGreen ChileSalmon
Most popular meat dishCarne AdovadaKing Crab
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritosReindeer Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodBlue Corn TacosKelp Salsa
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • El Modelo Mexican Foods
  • Frontier Restaurant
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • The Crab Pot
  • Moose's Tooth
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
Typical Architecture StylePueblo RevivalCabin/Cottage
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, rooftop solarAccess 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 Mexico’s $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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodingEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 64Β°F60Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49Β°F / 23Β°F20Β°F / -10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1422
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2274
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
Avg. Household Income$59,726$88,121
Cost of Living Index96.45132.6
State Income Tax1.7 - 4.90
Avg. Property Tax0.781.18
Avg. Sales Tax7.81.8
Top 3 IndustriesOil & Gas, Tourism, AgricultureOil & Gas, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertySignificantLower
HomelessnessNoticeableModerate
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
Political Make-upGenerally Democratic-leaning in statewide and federal races; Democrats hold most statewide offices and the legislature. Urban centers tend to vote Democratic, while parts of the southeast oil patch and some rural counties lean Republican. Voter registration is led by Democrats, with independents and Republicans also significant.Historically Republican-leaning statewide, but many voters are registered nonpartisan/independent and ticket-splitting is common. Nonpartisan top-four primaries and ranked-choice voting shape outcomes. Anchorage and Juneau are more mixed/center-left; Mat-Su and many road-system and rural areas trend conservative; many rural Alaska Native communities often back Democratic candidates.
Local PoliticsFocus on energy (oil and gas plus renewables), water and drought, education, public safety, and border issues. Albuquerque and Santa Fe are more progressive; several rural counties are conservative. Many municipal contests are officially nonpartisan. Tribal governments are influential, and state-tribal coordination is common.Borough and city governments (with a large Unorganized Borough) provide services; many local races are nonpartisan. Key issues include resource development, subsistence rights, high cost of living, transportation access, and the Permanent Fund Dividend. Anchorage Assembly politics are competitive; Mat-Su is reliably conservative. Coordination with tribal governments and Alaska Native corporations is significant.
ReligionLarge Catholic presence alongside mainline and evangelical Protestants; Native spiritual traditions are present; a sizable and growing religiously unaffiliated population.Diverse religious landscape with a relatively high share of unaffiliated; evangelical and mainline Protestant congregations are common; Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities (including historic Russian Orthodox) are present; Native spiritual traditions are important in many areas.
  • New Mexico tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as historically Republican-leaning
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape with a relatively high share of unaffiliated individuals, as well as common evangelical and mainline Protestant congregations, and Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities, including historic Russian Orthodox, with Native spiritual traditions being important in many areas
  • New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a large Catholic presence alongside mainline and evangelical Protestants, with Native spiritual traditions present and a sizable and growing religiously unaffiliated population
Top New Mexico to Alaska Routes

Albuquerque to Alaska