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New Mexico to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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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

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-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsMix of liberal & conservative areas, with urban areas tending more liberalConservative with exceptions in some larger cities
ReligionPrimarily Catholic, with a significant Protestant presenceMixed, 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

ComparisonNew MexicoAlaska
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 SchoolsPinon 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 SchoolsSidney 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 SchoolsLa 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 schoolsAlbuquerque 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 schoolsBosque 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 DistrictsLos 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.

TOP PICK
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Alaska

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

Two Men and a Truck

8.60/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
Pro-Move Logistics featured image

Pro-Move Logistics

8.10/10
Very GoodView details
Top New Mexico to Alaska Routes

Albuquerque to Alaska