Tennessee to Alaska Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 15, 2025
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

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

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Alaska

Boundless Moving & Storage
Rice's Professional Moving Service
Tennessee vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis BBQ | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | King Crab |
Most popular street food item | Gourmet Hot Dogs | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Seaweed Salad |
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 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 Princeβs Hot Chicken Shack, Hattie Bβs, 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
Comparison | Tennessee | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Cabin, Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, hardwood floors | Scenic 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 Tennesseeβs $317,482.
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- Rent in Alaska is 3.62% more expensive than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Alaska
Comparison | Tennessee | 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 | Thunderstorms, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/69 | 60/40 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 20/-10 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 75 |
- 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
Comparison | Tennessee | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 1.76% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Low-Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
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Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Alaska
Comparison | Tennessee | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderately conservative |
Local Politics | Largely Republican | Mixed with Independent influence |
Religion | Primarily Christian | Christian 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
Comparison | Tennessee | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Knoxville; Vanderbilt University Nashville; Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro | University of Alaska Anchorage; University of Alaska Fairbanks; Alaska Pacific University Anchorage |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Merrol Hyde Magnet School Hendersonville; Kenrose Elementary School Brentwood; Clovercroft Elementary School Franklin | Winterberry Charter School Anchorage; Northern Lights ABC School Anchorage; Aquarian Charter School Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Merrol Hyde Magnet School Hendersonville; Brentwood Middle School Brentwood; Woodland Middle School Brentwood | Hanshew Middle School Anchorage; Tanana Middle School Fairbanks; Romig Middle School Anchorage |
Top 3 High Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic High School Nashville; Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School Nashville; Brentwood High School Brentwood | West Anchorage High School Anchorage; South Anchorage High School Anchorage; Dimond High School Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | Montgomery Bell Academy Nashville; Harpeth Hall School Nashville; St. Mary's Episcopal School Memphis | Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage; Lumen Christi High School Anchorage; Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Ensworth School Nashville; Girls Preparatory School Chattanooga; Baylor School Chattanooga | Anchorage Christian Schools Anchorage; Grace Christian School Anchorage; Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Franklin; Maryville City Schools Maryville; Oak Ridge Schools Oak Ridge | Anchorage School District Anchorage; Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Fairbanks; Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Palmer |