Moving to Alaska: Complete Moving Guide 2024

People go to Alaska to get away from something - or at least, that’s what all the movies and TV shows would have you think. The reality is pretty far from that Into the Wild, Jack London's romanticism. But if you do it right, you’ll be able to find some of that wild magic you were looking for - or at least some peace and quiet.

Alaska has natural beauty, long summer days, and a surprising amount of work. Unfortunately, it also has offensively low temperatures, long winter nights, and a surprisingly high suicide rate. If you want to make it in Alaska, you’ll need a rare amount of fortitude that wasn’t really tested in the lower 48.

Think you’re tough enough for Alaska? We do too. That’s why iMoving is here to help. If you’re ready to get packing, just tell us more about your move and we’ll have you on your way. But if you want to learn more, just read on to see why Alaska should be your new home.

Tell anyone you’re moving to Alaska, and the first thing they’ll usually say is “Why?” Fortunately, we’ve come up with a whole list you can use to keep them quiet.

• Scenic and rugged: Alaska has some of the most striking scenery in North America. Mountains, beaches, forests, it’s got everything.

• Sportsman’s paradise: Because of the varied scenery, Alaska also has some world-class hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Just make sure you respect the bears. 

• Less crowded: Anchorage isn’t exactly Los Angeles, and Fairbanks is no New York. But that’s a good thing. If you want to get away from the chaos, Alaska’s for you.

• Locals mind their own business: This can be a pro, or it could make you feel sorta isolated. But generally, people in Alaska don’t get all buddy-buddy like they do in the Midwest.

• Get paid to live there: Granted, this is just a couple thousand per year, but it’s a convenient kickback that can offset the price of your groceries.

• Some parts are tamer: Alaska has a reputation as a wild frontier, but guess what? They’ve got Wal-Mart, Costco, and all those other comforts, too.

• More freedom: Californians take note: Alaskans can - and will - exercise their freedoms more than you’re used to. Don’t worry, they’re usually less “Bible belt” and more “libertarian”.

Moving to Alaska will cost you between $3,000 and $10,000. It’s a pretty big ballpark, but every move is different. Depending on the type of moving services you need, the distance you need to travel, and the amount of stuff you’re taking with you, you could be moving on the cheap - or not.

Before you get all wrapped up in the romance and adventure that Alaska (supposedly) brings to the table, it’s important to keep yourself grounded in reality. Every move has its pros and cons:

• Median home price: $364,000
• Average rent: $1,981
• Utilities: About $411 per month
• Gas: About $3.76 per gallon
• Groceries: About $343 per month

Alaska is a little cheaper than most places, but there are certain expenses that can eat up your savings. According to Zillow, the median home price is around $364,000, while the average rent is $1,981. If you’re looking to buy a house, that’s definitely on the cheaper side.

HOWEVER. Alaskan utilities come at a pretty steep price. You’re looking at about $411 per month, which is much higher than the $330 national average. Apparently solar doesn’t work so well when half the year is dark and/or cloudy.

As for your other expenses, gas averages about $3.76 per gallon, and your groceries will be around $343 per month. A little bit higher than the national average, and surprisingly steep for a state that’s all about oil production.

Alaska is a huge state, and there’s quite a bit of variation between towns. It’s not all rugged wilderness; in fact, there are a few cities that draw in plenty of transplants:

• Anchorage: Alaska’s largest city. Anchorage has a population of around 287,000. Not LA or New York, but certainly nothing to sneeze at. Anchorage offers many of the creature comforts you’ll find in just about any other city. Costco, Wal-Mart, crime, etc. 

• Fairbanks: Fairbanks is the second-largest city in Alaska. However, since we’re talking about Alaska, this means it’s got about 32,000 people. Fairbanks has (relatively) mild weather, and there are museums and other activities to keep you occupied.

• Juneau: Juneau is the state capitol, and it’s almost as big as Fairbanks (31,000 people). Move here, and you get a great variety of different environments: There are beaches, mountains, and forests all within reach.

• Palmer: Palmer has a surprising amount of open farmland. It makes sense, considering there are only about 6,300 people living here. Drive through, and you’ll see plenty of farms, barns, and mountains in the background.

• Ketchikan: You may or may not have seen photos of Ketchikan already. It’s a town famous for its riverside homes - all multicolored, wood, and up on stilts. And since it’s so far south, its 8,000ish residents enjoy much milder weather.

Most people think of Alaska as a place where rugged mountain men live off of the wilderness, but in reality, it’s got plenty of towns (and cities) with actual job opportunities.

Sure, there was a lot of oil and fishing - and to this day, there still is. But there’s also a growing hospitality field, and there’s plenty of tourists to keep the wheels turning.

Historically, the biggest industry in Alaska was oil. It’s still a major industry, so if you’re the granola-and-Prius type, you may want to look elsewhere.

Fortunately, Alaska also has plenty of industrial fisheries; think Deadliest Catch. If you’re the granola-and-prius-AND-VEGAN type, you can work in the hospitality industry. With all those cruises coming in, someone’s gotta sell stuff to tourists.

If you’re looking for big-city life, Alaska’s probably the wrong state for you. (And no, Anchorage doesn’t count as a “big” city). Fortunately, there’s plenty to keep you occupied once you get moved in:

• Explore the wilderness: Note: Don’t take this as an invitation to go all Into the Wild or Grizzly Man. The Alaskan wilderness is unforgiving, so be prepared, be smart, and have some respect for the awesome nature that you’ll be able to witness. 

• Enjoy the hot springs: Alaskan hot springs? It’s more likely than you think. The state has a surprising amount of geothermal activity, which translates to hot water in the dead of winter. Treat yourself to a spa day while it’s snowing outside.

• Make the most of summer: Yes, the Alaskan winters are long, dark, and cold. But there’s a flip side to everything. This means the Alaskan summers are long, bright, and sunny. Make the most of the extra daylight, and enjoy the midnight sun!

• See the northern lights: The aurora borealis? At this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized entirely within your kitchen!? Yes! Well, at least out your kitchen window. It’s a good reminder of why you moved to Alaska in the first place.

• Catch a cruise: Of course, with the growing tourism industry, Alaska sees plenty of cruises coming through. Why not hop on one of them yourself? Luxurious staterooms, fine dining, and you can see what your town looks like from out on the water.

Alaska has 53 school districts and 502 K-12 schools. Depending on where you live, you’ll have access to the best the state has to offer.

Keep in mind that all those schools are spread out across the largest state in the union, and you’ll have to decide between public and private. If you’re concerned about K-12 ed, you might want to pick a bigger city such as Anchorage, Juneau, or Fairbanks.

In terms of higher education, there are a few universities in the Last Frontier as well. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is probably the most well-known, but there’s also the University of Alaska Southeast (in Juneau) and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the romanticism of the Last Frontier. As it turns out, Alaska - while still plenty wild and rugged - can be much more like home than you’d expect. And with the right moving company at your back, it can be your new home, too.

At iMoving, we make moving easy. We’re the only online platform that lets you shop, compare prices, and book your Alaska movers from the comfort of your phone or laptop. If you’re ready to get moving, we’re ready to help with the heavy lifting! Tell us more about your move, and the team at iMoving will handle the rest!