Washington to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 1,681 mile interstate move from Washington to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high housing costs vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Apple vs Alaskan Salmon), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs rustic and log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Apple and Pho, but get your taste buds ready for Alaskan Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 40% less expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Alaska is 11.65% more affordable than in Washington
- Our top recommended Washington to Alaska movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Alaska
- High housing costs
- Dense urban areas
- Heavy traffic
- Rainy weather
- Expensive dining options
- Lower housing costs
- Vast open spaces
- Less congestion
- More varied seasons
- Fresh, local seafood
- Fewer job options
- Limited schools
- Less public transport
- Fewer cultural events
- Challenging terrain
- Job opportunities
- Award-winning schools
- Public transport
- Thriving arts scene
- Reliable infrastructure
Pros of moving from Washington to Alaska
- Say goodbye to high housing costs and hello to lower housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from dense urban areas and moving to Alaska with vast open spaces
- Swap the heavy traffic of Washington for less congestion in Alaska
- Get ready for more varied seasons in Alaska
Cons of moving from Washington to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from job opportunities in Washington to live with fewer job options in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of award-winning schools and have to settle for the con of limited schools
- Time to bid farewell to public transport and get used to less public transport in Alaska
- Swap a thriving arts scene for fewer cultural events
Washington vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Apple | Alaskan Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Pho | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | King Crab Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Bowl | 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 Washington to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Apple of Washington for the equally delicious Alaskan Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Pho and sumptuous Tacos, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and King Crab Legs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Bowl 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Salumi. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Simon & Seafort's, Moose's Tooth, and Snow City Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Alaska
Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Craftsman | Rustic and Log Cabin |
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Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, tech-ready | Natural landscapes, wilderness access |
- The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Log Cabin architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and are tech-ready, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural landscapes and wilderness access.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alaska is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alaska is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Alaska housing costs are 40% less expensive than they are in Washington with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 11.65% more affordable than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Alaska
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 37Β°F | 30Β°F / 19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 inches | 22 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 inches | 75 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Washington to Alaska. Alaska gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Washington.
- Alaska has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, 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 15 degrees colder than in Washington.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Alaska
Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93 | 1.19 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.29 | 1.76 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Oil and Gas, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
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Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Alaska
Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic-majority | Mixed, with a Republican lean |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers, conservation efforts <a href="https://ecology.wa.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">WA Department of Ecology</a> | Resource development focused, individual libertarian values <a href="https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">AK Department of Commerce</a> |
Religion | Mix, with non-religious or secular majority | Diverse, with Christian majority |
- Washington tends to lean Liberal/Democratic-majority in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a Republican lean
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse with a Christian majority
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix with a non-religious or secular majority
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Alaska
Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington University | University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade K-8 (Shoreline) Challenge Elementary (Bellevue) Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor) | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC K-8 School (Anchorage) Pearl Creek Elementary (Fairbanks) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Washington Middle School (Seattle) Kirkland Middle School (Kirkland) | Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) Randy Smith Middle School (Fairbanks) |
Top 3 High Schools | International School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) Camas High School (Camas) | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Eagle River High School (Eagle River) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Charles Wright Academy (Tacoma) The Bush School (Seattle) | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Seattle Academy (Seattle) The Bear Creek School (Redmond) Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bellevue) | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District Issaquah School District | Anchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District |
Top Washington to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Alaska