Movers

Rhode Island to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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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

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Small state area
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Cheaper housing
  • Spacious environment
  • Less traffic
  • Mild summers
  • Vast landscapes

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Remote locations
  • Severe winters
  • Isolation
  • Limited cultural activities
  • Scarcity of services
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
Most iconic local food itemClam CakesSalmon
Most popular meat dishStuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)Reindeer Sausage
Most popular street food itemHot WienersSmoked Salmon
Most popular vegan foodGrilled PizzaVegan King Crab (Mushroom-based)
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al's Gourmet Nuts
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
  • Mount Hope Farm
  • Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
  • 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 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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodLog 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 listingProximity to beaches, Historic charmVast 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 Island’s $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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
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, BlizzardsEarthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F60Β°F / 44Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F30Β°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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
Avg. Household Income$81,854$88,121
Cost of Living Index123.3132.6
State Income Tax3.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax7%0%
Top 3 IndustriesHealth Care, Retail, EducationOil & Gas, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
Political Make-upMostly DemocraticMixed, with a lean towards Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal policies in urban areasConservative in rural, liberal in urban
ReligionCatholicism predominantProtestantism 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

ComparisonRhode IslandAlaska
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 SchoolsNayatt 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 SchoolsBarrington Middle
Barrington; Wickford Middle
North Kingstown; Gallagher Middle
Smithfield
Goldenview Middle
Anchorage; Mears Middle
Anchorage; Romig Middle
Anchorage
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsLincoln 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 DistrictsBarrington Public Schools; East Greenwich Public Schools; North Kingstown School DistrictAnchorage 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.

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Alaska

8.29/10
Very GoodView details
RUNNER-UP
G Metz Moving

G Metz Moving

7.87/10
ALSO GREAT
The Moving Man featured image

The Moving Man

7.79/10
Top Rhode Island to Alaska Routes

Providence to Alaska