Oregon to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,910 mile interstate move from Oregon to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frequent rain vs less rain, more snow), food & health (like Marionberry Pie vs Wild Alaskan Salmon), real estate & housing (craftsman vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Marionberry Pie and Portland BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Wild Alaskan Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in Alaska is 1.33% more affordable than in Oregon
- Our top recommended Oregon to Alaska movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
Oregon to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to Alaska
- Frequent rain
- Dense population
- Higher cost of living
- Limited wildlife
- Traffic congestion
- Less rain, more snow
- Sparse population
- Lower cost of living
- Diverse wildlife
- Minimal traffic
- Colder temperatures
- Remote location
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited growing season
- Less infrastructure
- Mild climate
- Proximity to major cities
- Varied cultural activities
- Year-round greenery
- Bike-friendly cities
Pros of moving from Oregon to Alaska
- Say goodbye to frequent rain and hello to less rain and more snow
- Look forward to moving away from dense population and moving to Alaska with sparse population
- Swap the higher cost of living in Oregon for the lower cost of living in Alaska
- Get ready for diverse wildlife in Alaska
Cons of moving from Oregon to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the mild climate in Oregon to live with colder temperatures in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to major cities and have to settle for the con of remote location
- Time to bid farewell to varied cultural activities and get used to fewer cultural events in Alaska
- Swap year-round greenery for a limited growing season
Oregon vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Marionberry Pie | Wild Alaskan Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Portland BBQ | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Food Cart Tacos | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Bowl | Wild Berry Smoothie |
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 Oregon to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Marionberry Pie of Oregon for the equally delicious Wild Alaskan Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Portland BBQ and sumptuous Food Cart Tacos, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Berry Smoothie of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oregon eateries like Voodoo Doughnut, Le Pigeon, and Bamboo Sushi. 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 Saloon and Grill, The Crow's Nest, and Snow City CafΓ©.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and Alaska
Comparison | Oregon | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly features, Proximity to nature | Views, Spacious plots |
- The Craftsman architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and proximity to nature, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like views and spacious plots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
- Alaska housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 1.33% more affordable than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and Alaska
Comparison | Oregon | 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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 55Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 33Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 22" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 8" | 75" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to Alaska. Alaska gets 4% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- Alaska has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon, 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 20 degrees colder than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows in Alaska are 43 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and Alaska
Comparison | Oregon | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 9% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.0% | 1.2% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Tourism | Tourism, Fishing, Oil |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 16% more than those in Oregon
- The COLI in Alaska will be 20% higher than what you are used to living in Oregon
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in Oregon
- The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate poverty in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oregon and low in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. Alaska
Comparison | Oregon | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic-leaning, especially in urban areas | Mix of conservative and libertarian, with some Democratic strongholds |
Local Politics | Environmental policies and social justice are significant | Oil, fishing, and indigenous rights dominate |
Religion | Less religious overall, with a variety of beliefs | Christianity predominant, diverse indigenous spiritual practices |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal/Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of conservative and libertarian with some Democratic strongholds
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with diverse indigenous spiritual practices
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall with a variety of beliefs
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to Alaska
Comparison | Oregon | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ainsworth Elementary - Portland Findley Elementary - Portland Oak Creek Elementary - Lake Oswego | Rogers Park Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Aquarian Charter School - Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School - Portland Lake Oswego Junior High - Lake Oswego Cedar Park Middle School - Beaverton | Mears Middle School - Anchorage Romig Middle School - Anchorage Goldenview Middle School - Anchorage |
Top 3 High Schools | Lake Oswego High - Lake Oswego Lincoln High - Portland South Eugene High - Eugene | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland St. Mary's Academy - Portland | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oregon Episcopal School - Portland Catlin Gabel School - Portland Delphian School - Sheridan | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District West Linn-Wilsonville School District | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Oregon to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Oregon to Alaska