Alaska Local Expert
Mackenzie Schultz
“She's spent years learning how to type with her toes, but still not sure why.”
See full bio
AK to MS Relocation: The Lifestyle Shift Nobody Prepares For
Swapping the Last Frontier for the Magnolia State is one of the most dramatic relocations a person can make in the lower 48, and beyond the lower 48 for that matter. Alaska trades glacier views and midnight sun summers for Mississippi's moss draped oaks and year round warmth, but the contrast goes far deeper than scenery. You are stepping out of one of the most isolated, self reliant states in the country and landing in a place where the culture, climate, and cost of living operate on an entirely different set of rules. Our Snappy Scout team (Mackenzie & Katherine) dug into the logistics, expenses, and lifestyle adjustments you need to understand before you start loading up that long haul truck for the roughly 3,500 mile journey south.
Who's Behind This Guide
Considering a DIY Move from AK to Mississippi?
Average distance
4,150miles
Typical route
A drive from Alaska to Mississippi typically routes through Canada and the continental US via the Alaska Highway and major interstate corridors heading southeast.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Anchorage, AK → Jackson, MS
~4150 miles
Fairbanks, AK → Jackson, MS
~4050 miles
Anchorage, AK → Biloxi, MS
~4300 miles
Juneau, AK → Gulfport, MS
~4200 miles
Fairbanks, AK → Hattiesburg, MS
~4100 miles
Should You Move From Alaska to Mississippi Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Mississippi from Alaska is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
The Cost of Relocating to Mississippi from AK
Moving 4,150 miles from Alaska to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
How Will Your Current AK Personality Work in Mississippi?
Well, it depends. If you're a Stay at Home Mom, PTA President, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to Mississippi. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Craft Beer Fan, or Yoga Instructor, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Alaska to Mississippi.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from AK to MS
Stay At Home Moms
Alaska
4
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Tight-knit suburbs exist but isolation is real
Mississippi
Gaining
Top schools, Ross Barnett Reservoir parks, Saturday SEC fun.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
MadisonBrandonOxford
Alaska
4
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
PTA Life
Alaska
4
/10
Mississippi
7
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Strong community spirit but small school districts limit it
Mississippi
Gaining
Carnival fundraisers, MHSAA nights, and Ole Miss swag.
Recommended MS cities/areas for PTA Presidents
MadisonOxfordHernando
Alaska
4
/10
Mississippi
7
/10
Thrifting
Alaska
5.5
/10
Mississippi
8
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Hidden gems in Anchorage thrift shops, if you look
Mississippi
Gaining
Fondren antiques, Bay St. Louis junk shops, bluesy treasures.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Jackson (Fondren)HattiesburgBay St. Louis
Alaska
5.5
/10
Mississippi
8
/10
Beach Culture
Alaska
8
/10
Mississippi
4
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Beaches absolutely exist but think tide-pooling, rocky shores, and maybe a wetsuit
Mississippi
Gaining
Biloxi's sand is super soft, but locals know better than to go in the water. Better for sunsets and oysters.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Beach Bums
BiloxiPass Christian
Alaska
8
/10
Mississippi
4
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Alaska
9
/10
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Anchorage Brewing Co. and glacier-cold pints
Mississippi
Gaining
Lazy Magnolia, Southern Prohibition, and Chandeleur Island pints.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Alaska
9
/10
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Yoga
Alaska
6.5
/10
Mississippi
5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Kachemak Bay sunsets make the best savasana backdrop
Mississippi
Gaining
Sunrise flows at Sardis Lake, Ocean Springs beach meditations.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Alaska
6.5
/10
Mississippi
5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Mississippi?
Living on the Coast, it's fresh beignets with powdered sugar under the shade of a live oak while looking out at the Gulf with the sound of C-130s roaring overhead.
– Katherine Mines
Mississippi Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Alaska and living in Mississippi
AlaskaMississippi
The Dining Scene Between AK and Mississippi
Eating Like a Local in Alaska
Beer Battered Fish and Chips (Try the Halibut or Rockfish!), Local Alaskan Oysters, King Crab Legs, PelMeni's, Fish Tacos, and Grilled Salmon. Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Farmed Salmon!
Mackenzie SchultzAlaska Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Mississippi
When you're in Mississippi, it's essential that you "get in a pinch" and suck some guts out of a crawfish at least once. Wear a shirt you can get messy, and don't even think about donning one of those plastic bibs--the locals will definitely lose respect for you.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local ExpertAK to Mississippi: Your Unfiltered Tax Breakdown
Alaska
Mississippi
AlaskavsMississippi
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
VS
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
VS
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
From AK to Mississippi: How Culture, Politics, & Faith Shift
Alaska
Mississippi
AlaskavsMississippi
People
PeopleRugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
VS
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Politics
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
VS
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Religion
ReligionMajority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Alaska
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
VS
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
The Weather Reality Between AK and Mississippi
SUMMER
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
WINTER
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Mississippi
My favorite season in Mississippi is Mardi Gras season! Starting on the Eve of Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, the Mardi Gras season is filled with parades, fancy balls, and every flavor of king cake you could imagine (and whoever gets the baby has to buy the next king cake). This isn't New Orleans Mardi Gras, it's fun--and appropriate--for the whole family.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Mississippi
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Alaska, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Mississippi. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Mississippi local experts.
Moving toBiloxi
Prep Your Flood Insurance and Hurricane Kit
Moving toGulfport
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
Moving toJackson
Heat, Boil Alerts, Potholes, And Comeback Sauce
