Wisconsin to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 2,858 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs spectacular scenery), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs King Crab), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs ranch, log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for King Crab & Reindeer Sausage
- Alaska housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Alaska is 39.32% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Alaska movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Alaska
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Flat landscapes
- Spectacular scenery
- Unique wildlife
- Mountain activities
- Long, dark winters
- Remote locations
- Higher cost of living
- Warm summers
- Established communities
- Rich history
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Alaska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to spectacular scenery
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Alaska with unique wildlife
- Swap the flat landscapes of Wisconsin for mountain activities in Alaska
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm summers in Wisconsin to live with long, dark winters in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of established communities and have to settle for the con of remote locations
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to a higher cost of living in Alaska
Wisconsin vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | King Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Halibut Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Cheese | Wild Berry Cobbler |
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 Wisconsin to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious King Crab of Alaska. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Alaska residents know they have tasty Reindeer Sausage and Halibut Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Cheese they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Berry Cobbler of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Lumber Inn, Maderas Grill, and Fromagination. 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, Glacier Brewhouse, and Snow City Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Alaska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Ranch, Log Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Lake access | Natural views, Privacy |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Log Cabin architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and lake access, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like natural views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Alaska housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to Wisconsin's $294,909.
- Not enough data to generate a comparison.
- Rent in Alaska is 39.32% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Alaska
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Tornadoes, Snowstorms | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies greatly |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 60Β°F / 44Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 20Β°F / -10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 22 (Varies greatly by region) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 75 (Varies greatly by region) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Wisconsin to Alaska. Alaska gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and snowstorms in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 22 degrees colder than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Alaska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 6.27% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.19% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.46% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 24% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Alaska will be 39% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Alaska is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to moderate poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Wisconsin and noticeable in Alaska
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Alaska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with close races | Largely Republican, but with independent streak |
Local Politics | High civic engagement | Unique local issues, such as indigenous rights |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with diverse religious communities | Less religiously affiliated, higher percentage of indigenous spiritual practices |
- Wisconsin tends to lean battleground state with close races in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as largely Republican but with an independent streak
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with a higher percentage of indigenous spiritual practices
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Alaska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Area Technical College Marquette University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School Madison; Lake Shore Middle School Mequon; Prairie View Elementary Holmen | Aurora Elementary Anchorage; Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage; Bayshore Elementary Anchorage |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lake Shore Middle School Mequon; Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay; Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove | Mears Middle School Anchorage; Romig Middle School Anchorage; Mirror Lake Middle School Chugiak |
Top 3 High Schools | East High School Madison; Homestead High School Mequon; Brookfield East High Brookfield | West High School Anchorage; South Anchorage High Anchorage; Dimond High Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Marquette University High Milwaukee | Holy Rosary Academy Anchorage; Lumen Christi High School Anchorage; Grace Christian School Anchorage |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Prairie School Racine | Pacific Northern Academy Anchorage; Anchorage Waldorf School Anchorage; Birchwood Christian School Chugiak |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Mequon-Thiensville School District Mequon; Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay | Anchorage School District Anchorage; Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Palmer; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Soldotna |
Top Wisconsin to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.