Movers

New York to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 3,327 mile interstate move from New York to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like New York-Style Pizza vs Alaskan Salmon), real estate & housing (art deco, modern vs cabin, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to New York-Style Pizza and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for Alaskan Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
  • Alaska housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Alaska is 30.28% more affordable than in New York
  • Our top recommended New York to Alaska movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Alaska

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Cramped spaces
  • Pollution
  • Hustle and bustle
  • Extreme heat/humidity
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Lower cost of living
  • Expansive nature
  • Cleaner air
  • Peaceful surroundings
  • Cool climate

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Limited nightlife
  • Fewer dining options
  • Car dependency
  • Fewer job options
  • Remote locations
New York iconNew York
  • Endless entertainment
  • Global cuisine
  • Public transportation
  • Career opportunities
  • Convenience

Pros of moving from New York to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from cramped spaces and moving to Alaska with expansive nature
  • Swap the pollution of New York for cleaner air in Alaska
  • Get ready for peaceful surroundings in Alaska

Cons of moving from New York to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from endless entertainment in New York to live with limited nightlife in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of global cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to car dependency in Alaska
  • Swap career opportunities for fewer job options

New York vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
Most iconic local food itemNew York-Style PizzaAlaskan Salmon
Most popular meat dishPastrami on RyeReindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemHot DogKing Crab Legs
Most popular vegan foodBagel with Vegan Cream CheeseRoasted Vegetables with Quinoa
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Saltry
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • 49th State Brewing Co
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 York to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic New York-Style Pizza of New York for the equally delicious Alaskan Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye and sumptuous Hot Dog, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Peter Luger. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like The Saltry, Simon & Seafort's, and 49th State Brewing Co.

When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Alaska

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleArt Deco, ModernCabin, Ranch
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 listingClose to subway, Rooftop accessMountain views, Large plots
  • The Art Deco and Modern architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference close subway and rooftop access, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large plots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Alaska housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New York with a median home price of $354,563 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 30.28% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Alaska

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
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 DisastersHurricanes, BlizzardEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/66Β°F60Β°F/40Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)38Β°F/26Β°F20Β°F/-10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.9"22.5" (varies widely by region)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.8"75" (varies widely by region)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Alaska. Alaska gets 33% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 25 degrees colder than New York.
  • The average winter lows are 36 degrees colder than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 27.4 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Alaska

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
Avg. Household Income$79,557$88,121
Cost of Living Index102.8132.6
State Income Tax4-8.82%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.68%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax4%0%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, TechnologyOil, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 11% more than in New York
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in New York
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is moderate compared to high in New York
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Alaska

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocraticPrimarily Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centersFocus on local independence
ReligionDiverse, with a significant Jewish communityPredominantly Christian
  • New York tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Jewish community

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Alaska

ComparisonNew YorkAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)New York University
Cornell University
Columbia University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsP.S. 77 Lower Lab School - New York City
Success Academy Charter School - Brooklyn
P.S. 172 Beacon School of Excellence - Brooklyn
Aurora Elementary - Anchorage
Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage
Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEast Side Middle School - New York City
Baccalaureate School for Global Education - Queens
New Explorations into Science
Technology and Math School - New York City
Romig Middle School - Anchorage
Mears Middle School - Anchorage
Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak
Top 3 High SchoolsStuyvesant High School - New York City
Bronx High School of Science - Bronx
Brooklyn Technical High School - Brooklyn
West High School - Anchorage
South Anchorage High School - Anchorage
Dimond High School - Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsHorace Mann School - Bronx
Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School - New York City
The Chapin School - New York City
Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage
Grace Christian School - Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Spence School - New York City
Collegiate School - New York City
Brearley School - New York City
Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage
Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage
Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak
Top 3 School DistrictsJericho Union Free School District
Great Neck Public Schools
Syosset Central School District
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Top New York to Alaska Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Alaska

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
ExceptionalView details

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