Movers

Tennessee to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 3,390 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs cabin, contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab
  • Alaska housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Alaska is 3.62% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Alaska movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Tennessee vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQSalmon
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenKing Crab
Most popular street food itemGourmet Hot DogsReindeer Sausage
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
  • Hattie B’s
  • Arnold's Country Kitchen
  • Snow City Cafe
  • The Crow's Nest
  • Simon & Seafort's
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 Tennessee to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful hot chicken and sumptuous gourmet hot dogs, Alaska residents know they have tasty king crab and reindeer sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit 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 Tennessee eateries like Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Hattie B’s, and Arnold's Country Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Snow City Cafe, The Crow's Nest, and Simon & Seafort's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Alaska

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCabin, Contemporary
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 listingSpacious backyards, hardwood floorsScenic views, proximity to nature
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Contemporary architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and hardwood floors, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than Tennessee.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Alaska has less of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Alaska housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Not enough data to generate comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 3.62% more expensive than in Tennessee.

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

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
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 DisastersThunderstorms, TornadoesEarthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6960/40
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3020/-10
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5022
Annual Snowfall (Inches)575
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Alaska. Alaska gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in Tennessee, 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 29 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 40 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Alaska

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
Avg. Household Income$65,254$88,121
Cost of Living Index88.9132.6
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.64%1.19%
Avg. Sales Tax7%1.76%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, AgricultureOil, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyLow-ModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
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Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Alaska

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
Political Make-upConservativeModerately conservative
Local PoliticsLargely RepublicanMixed with Independent influence
ReligionPrimarily ChristianChristian with diverse religious communities
  • Tennessee tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as moderately conservative
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as Christian with diverse religious communities
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Alaska

ComparisonTennesseeAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLakeland Elementary School (Lakeland)
Walnut Grove Elementary (Franklin)
Clovercroft Elementary School (Franklin)
Aurora Elementary School (Anchorage)
Northern Lights ABC K-8 School (Anchorage)
Trailside Elementary School (Anchorage)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Page Middle School (Franklin)
Robertson County Schools (Springfield)
Mears Middle School (Anchorage)
Romig Middle School (Anchorage)
Goldenview Middle School (Anchorage)
Top 3 High School SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood)
West High School (Anchorage)
South Anchorage High School (Anchorage)
Eagle River High School (Eagle River)
Top 3 private high schoolsBrentwood Academy (Brentwood)
McCallie School (Chattanooga)
Baylor School (Chattanooga)
Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage)
Grace Christian School (Anchorage)
Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWebb School (Bell Buckle)
Franklin Road Academy (Nashville)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage)
Anchorage Waldorf School (Anchorage)
Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Franklin Special School District
Maryville City Schools
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Top Tennessee to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Alaska

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Rice's Professional Moving Service featured image

Rice's Professional Moving Service

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details

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