Rhode Island to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 3,505 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs cheaper housing), food & health (like Clam Cakes vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod 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 Clam Cakes and Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs), but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Alaska is 16.31% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Alaska movers is Two Men and a Truck
Rhode Island to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Alaska
- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Traffic congestion
- Hot, humid summers
- Small state area
- Cheaper housing
- Spacious environment
- Less traffic
- Mild summers
- Vast landscapes
- Remote locations
- Severe winters
- Isolation
- Limited cultural activities
- Scarcity of services
- Access to amenities
- Rich history
- Coastal beauty
- Vibrant culture
- Proximity to cities
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Alaska
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to cheaper housing
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Alaska with a spacious environment
- Swap the traffic congestion of Rhode Island for less traffic in Alaska
- Get ready for mild summers in Alaska
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from access to amenities in Rhode Island to live with remote locations in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of severe winters
- Time to bid farewell to coastal beauty and get used to isolation in Alaska
- Swap vibrant culture for limited cultural activities
Rhode Island vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Cakes | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Smoked Salmon |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Pizza | Vegan King Crab (Mushroom-based) |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Rhode Island to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Clam Cakes of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and Smoked Salmon to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan King Crab (Mushroom-based) of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al's Gourmet Nuts, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and Mount Hope Farm. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, Simon and Seafort's, and Snow City Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Alaska
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Log Cabin, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to beaches, Historic charm | Vast landscapes, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches and historic charm, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like vast landscapes and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Alaska is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Alaska is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Alaska housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 16.31% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Alaska
Comparison | Rhode Island | 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 | Hurricanes, Blizzards | Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 30Β°F / -20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 22" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 34" | 74" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Alaska. Alaska gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 22 degrees colder than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 40 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Alaska
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Health Care, Retail, Education | Oil & Gas, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 8% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Alaska is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and moderate in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Alaska
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mostly Democratic | Mixed, with a lean towards Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas | Conservative in rural, liberal in urban |
Religion | Catholicism predominant | Protestantism leading, with diverse beliefs |
- Rhode Island tends to lean mostly Democratic in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a lean towards Republican
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant, with diverse beliefs
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Alaska
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Nayatt School Barrington; Rockwell School Bristol; Hamilton School North Kingstown | Homestead Elementary Eagle River; Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage; Bayshore Elementary Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington; Wickford Middle North Kingstown; Gallagher Middle Smithfield | Goldenview Middle Anchorage; Mears Middle Anchorage; Romig Middle Anchorage |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School Providence; East Greenwich High East Greenwich; Barrington High School Barrington | West Anchorage High School Anchorage; South Anchorage High Anchorage; Eagle River High School Eagle River |
Top 3 private high schools | The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown | Grace Christian School Anchorage; Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage; Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence | Grace Christian School Anchorage; Lumen Christi High School Anchorage; Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools; East Greenwich Public Schools; North Kingstown School District | Anchorage School District; Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District |
Top Rhode Island to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Alaska