Best Washington to Alaska Movers and Practical Moving Guide
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Moving between states signifies not just a change of address, but an exhilarating chapter in your life. Leaving behind Washington's lush evergreens and coffee culture for Alaska's majestic mountains and wild frontier marks a significant transition—with each state celebrated for its unique charm and lifestyle. Understanding the magnitude of this journey, it's pivotal to align yourself with trusted and reliable professional movers. At Great Guys Moving, we take pride in connecting you with the best movers, ensuring your adventure to the Last Frontier begins on the right note.
Best Washington to Alaska Moving Companies
| Company Name | Rating  | BBB Rating | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Volken Academy Movers | 9.34 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| First Due Movers | 9.26 | A+ | Authorized For Property, HHG | Contact |
| Help-U-Move | 9.22 | A+ | Authorized For Property | Contact |
| Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers | 9.21 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| The Moving Man | 7.82 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc. | 6.97 | NR | Authorized For Property | Contact |
(800) 787-5428
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Alaska to Washington guide.
6 Best WA to AK Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About John Volken Academy Movers
John Volken Academy Movers is a not-for-profit moving company that helps people move across Western and Eastern Washington. This local busin...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Commercial Moving
- Residential Moving
About First Due Movers
First Due Movers is based in Preston, Washington, but offers nationwide moving services. The company is actually owned by local Washington f...Read More >>
Services
- Residential Moves
- Commercial Moves
- Long-Distance Moves
About Help-U-Move
Help-U-Move is a veteran-owned, locally operated small business in Pasco that handles over 4,000 moves yearly. It has provided residential a...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Statewide Moving
- Out of State Moving
About Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers
Lake Coeur d’Alene Movers is a premier moving company in North Idaho, offering services throughout the region. Voted Best Moving Company in ...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Cross-country moving
About The Moving Man
The Moving Man is a family-owned and operated full-service moving company based in Anchorage, Alaska since 1992. Their service area includes...Read More >>
Services
- Local Residential Moving
- Local Commercial Moving
- Out-of-State Moves
About Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc.
Having been in the vehicle transportation business since 1951, Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc. is a pioneer in the industry in Alaska. With te...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
- Cross-country moving services
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Alaska
Moving from one place to another is always a big decision. This guide is aimed at providing an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from Washington to Alaska. By comparing the pros and cons, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision about this significant life change.
Washington- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Less daylight in winter
- More crowded
Alaska- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- More daylight in summer
- Less crowded
Alaska- Colder climate
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less diversity
- Fewer entertainment options
Washington- Milder climate
- More job opportunities
- Diverse culture
- More entertainment options
When moving from Washington to Alaska, you're trading the bustling city life for a closer connection to nature. Alaska offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventures, such as hiking in Denali National Park or fishing in the Kenai Rivers. In contrast, Washington, particularly cities like Seattle, provides a rich blend of cultural diversities, with neighborhoods like Capitol Hill offering an array of restaurants and entertainment options. The transition might take some adjustment, especially due to Alaska's more extreme climate and daylight variations, but you'll find unique communities and breathtaking landscapes awaiting you. Consider exploring local establishments like Denali National Park and Preserve or enjoying a meal at Simon & Seafort's in Anchorage to start immersing yourself in all that Alaska has to offer.
Washington vs. Alaska Food Guide
Food is a cornerstone of local culture and lays the foundation for what life is like in any area. By engaging in a comparison of the local cuisine between Washington & Alaska, you'll gain insight into the vibrant food scenes of both, helping you transition seamlessly into your new environment.
| 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 |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
When moving from Washington to Alaska, you'll find a shift not just in climate but also in culinary experiences. Alaskan cuisine is rich in seafood, with restaurants in Anchorage, such as Simon & Seafort's, offering spectacular views and dishes like Alaskan Salmon and King Crab Legs that are fresh from the local waters. On the other hand, Washington's food scene is diverse, with a strong Asian influence evident in its popular meat dish, Pho, and a plethora of food trucks offering everything from Tacos to Quinoa Bowls. Both states boast a vibrant food scene, though Washington slightly edges out with its abundance of vegan options and a more active food truck culture.
Ready to start your move?
Washington vs. Alaska Real Estate & Living Facts
When considering a move, understanding the real estate landscape is crucial. Comparing housing aspects between Washington and Alaska can significantly illuminate the differences and help in making an informed decision. Key features such as cost, architecture, and lifestyle are vital to consider.
| Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Craftsman | Rustic and Log Cabin |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, tech-ready | Natural landscapes, wilderness access |
While the median home price and rent are significantly higher in Washington, it offers a more urban lifestyle, with a greater emphasis on modern and Craftsman architectural styles. In contrast, Alaska's real estate highlights rustic and log cabin designs, appealing to those who prefer natural landscapes and wilderness access. The lower cost of living in Alaska may be attractive, but it's essential to consider lifestyle preferences and walkability, which are higher in Washington. This choice becomes a balance between the bustling urban life Washington provides against the serene, nature-focused living of Alaska.
Washington vs. Alaska Weather Considerations
When considering relocating, understanding the weather differences is crucial. Comparing Washington and Alaska helps you anticipate how to adapt to your new home. This comparison guides you through significant weather aspects, including temperature variations, sunshine days, and natural hazards, necessary for a smooth transition.
Washington
Alaska
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Washington
Alaska
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Washington
Alaska
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Washington
Alaska
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | Washington | Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Moving from Washington to Alaska, you’ll need to prepare for colder winters, less sunshine, and more snow. While both states experience below-freezing winter temperatures, Alaska's are substantially lower, with an average winter high of 30°F compared to Washington’s 47°F. Additionally, Alaska’s annual snowfall significantly exceeds Washington’s, emphasizing the need for winter readiness. However, both locations offer breathtaking natural landscapes, albeit with different challenges and beautiful sceneries to explore year-round.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Washington to Alaska
When planning a move from one region to another, understanding the financial landscape is crucial for a seamless transition. Comparing Washington and Alaska on money and finance matters will give you insight into how your cost of living, taxes, and income could change. This information is vital for planning your move and setting realistic expectations.
| 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 | 9.17 | 1.76 |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Oil, Fishing, Tourism |
| Affluence | High | Moderate |
| Poverty | Low | Moderate |
| Homelessness | High | Moderate |
Moving from Washington to Alaska involves considering various financial factors that could impact your living standards and expenses significantly. While both states boast a $0 state income tax, which is highly attractive for residents, Alaska's higher average household income and the cost of living index reflect its unique economic conditions, including its reliance on oil, fishing, and tourism. Despite Alaska's somewhat higher cost of living, the significantly lower average sales tax rate compared to Washington's could offset other expenses. Additionally, the notable differences in property tax rates and the primary industries might influence your employment opportunities and housing decisions.
Washington vs. Alaska Political & Religious Comparison
This guide aims to provide a quick, at-a-glance snapshot of the political and religious makeup of the residents in your current and future home states. It's essential to understand this is a comparison of the politics between Washington & Alaska before you make your move, so you have a clearer picture of the communities you’re transitioning between.
| Washington | Alaska | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic-majority | Mixed, with a Republican lean |
| Local Politics | Progressive urban centers, conservation efforts WA Department of Ecology | Resource development focused, individual libertarian values AK Department of Commerce |
| Religion | Mix, with non-religious or secular majority | Diverse, with Christian majority |
Moving from Washington to Alaska, you might find shifts in political and religious landscapes intriguing. Washington's urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma tend to be progressive, highlighting the state's liberal stance, especially on environmental conservation and social issues. Meanwhile, Alaska's politics revolve more around libertarian ideals and resource development, reflecting its population's independence and the state's unique economic drivers. This could mean a change in local governance and community focus. In terms of religion, Washington's secular or non-religious majority contrasts with Alaska’s more diverse religious composition, where Christian beliefs are more predominant. Understanding these nuances can help ease your transition and integration into your new Alaskan community.
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Alaska
Making the move from Washington to Alaska involves several key considerations, one of the most important being education. To help you better understand what the comparisons are between school options in Washington and Alaska , we've compiled a detailed comparison of their educational landscapes. This will aid in making an informed decision for your family's educational journey.
| Washington | Alaska |
|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington UniversityUniversity 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 DistrictAnchorage School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | |
In the realm of education, both Washington and Alaska offer a rich diversity of options that cater to various needs and aspirations. Washington's University of Washington and Alaska's University of Alaska Fairbanks stand out as top higher education destinations for their respective states, drawing students with a wide range of academic and research opportunities. On the pre-collegiate level, highly ranked schools like Bellevue's International School in Washington and Anchorage's West High School in Alaska exemplify the commitment both states have to quality education. Moreover, private education holds a strong presence in both regions, with institutions like The Overlake School in Redmond, Washington, and Grace Christian School in Anchorage, Alaska, offering competitive educational programs. This comparison elucidates the strengths each state holds in shaping tomorrow's leaders through diverse, quality educational pathways.
Popular Washington to Alaska Moving Routes
Popular Moving Routes
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