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Pennsylvania to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 3,355 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler climate), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Alaskan Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch colonial vs log cabin, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Alaskan Salmon & King Crab Legs
  • Alaska housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in Alaska is 17.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Alaska movers is Pittsburgh Moving

Pennsylvania to Alaska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Alaska

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • High humidity
  • Dense population
  • Traffic congestion
  • Costly housing in cities
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Cooler climate
  • Open spaces
  • Less crowded roads
  • Affordable housing options

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Fewer historical landmarks
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Fewer cultural attractions
  • Limited transportation
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Rich history
  • Varied job market
  • Abundant theaters
  • Public transit availability

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Alaska

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Alaska with open spaces
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Pennsylvania for less crowded roads in Alaska
  • Get ready for affordable housing options in Alaska

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Alaska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical landmarks in Alaska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a varied job market and have to settle for the con of limited job opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to abundant theaters and get used to fewer cultural attractions in Alaska
  • Swap public transit availability for limited transportation

Pennsylvania vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakAlaskan Salmon
Most popular meat dishPork and SauerkrautKing Crab Legs
Most popular street food itemPretzelsReindeer Sausage
Most popular vegan foodMushroom SoupSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zahav
  • Primanti Bros.
  • The French Laundry
  • The Crow's Nest
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Snow City Cafe
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 Pennsylvania to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Alaskan Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab Legs and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Primanti Bros., and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like The Crow's Nest, Simon & Seafort's, and Snow City Cafe.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Alaska

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Dutch ColonialLog Cabin, Modern
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 listingHardwood floors, proximity to amenitiesViews, spacious land
  • The Colonial and Dutch Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and proximity to amenities, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like views and spacious land.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • Alaska housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Not enough data to generate comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 17.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Alaska

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
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 DisastersStorms, FloodsEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6260/44
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37/2020/-10
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4222 (Varies greatly by region)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3875 (Varies greatly by region)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Pennsylvania to Alaska. Alaska gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible storms and floods in Pennsylvania, 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 25 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Alaska

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$71,798$88,121
Cost of Living Index99.7132.6
State Income Tax3.07%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.58%1.18%
Avg. Sales Tax6.34%1.76%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, EducationOil & Gas, Tourism, Government
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 23% more than in Pennsylvania
  • The COLI in Alaska will be 33% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
  • The poverty level is low in Alaska compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and moderate in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Alaska

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
Political Make-upSwing State, leans Democratic in federal electionsRepublican-leaning, with independent streaks
Local PoliticsDiverse; urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean RepublicanLocal issues often transcend traditional party lines
ReligionChristian majority, with significant Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communitiesChristian majority, with pockets of indigenous spiritual practices
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean Democratic in federal elections in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning with independent streaks
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with pockets of indigenous spiritual practices
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with significant Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Alaska

ComparisonPennsylvaniaAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Penn State University
University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWhitemarsh Elementary (Lafayette Hill)
Hoover Elementary (Mount Lebanon)
Hillcrest Elementary (Downingtown)
Aurora Elementary (Anchorage)
Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage)
Denali Elementary (Fairbanks)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWelsh Valley Middle School (Narberth)
Radnor Middle School (Radnor)
Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School (Berwyn)
Mears Middle School (Anchorage)
Romig Middle School (Anchorage)
Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak)
Top 3 High School SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn)
Central High School (Philadelphia)
West High School (Anchorage)
South Anchorage High School (Anchorage)
Eagle River High School (Eagle River)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Haverford School (Haverford)
The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square)
Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia)
Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)
Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage)
Grace Christian School (Anchorage)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMercersburg Academy (Mercersburg)
The Hill School (Pottstown)
Moravian Academy (Bethlehem)
Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage)
Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage)
Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak)
Top 3 School DistrictsTredyffrin/Easttown School District
Radnor Township School District
Lower Merion School District
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Top Pennsylvania to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Alaska

9.63/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC featured image

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

9.50/10
Exceptional

Philadelphia to Alaska

Pittsburgh to Alaska