Alaska Local Expert
Mackenzie Schultz
“She's spent years learning how to type with her toes, but still not sure why.”
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Relocating from Alaska to New York: Is It the Right Move for You?
Few relocations test your adaptability quite like leaving Alaska for New York. The contrast could not be more dramatic, trading glacier-carved wilderness and midnight sun summers for a state where 20 million people, wall to wall traffic, and a cost of living that never sleeps become your new normal. The wide open quiet of Alaska has a way of spoiling you, and New York has absolutely no interest in offering a gentle adjustment period. Our Snappy Scout team (Mackenzie & Alexa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before the first box gets taped shut.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Drive from AK to New York: What to Know
Average distance
5,400miles
Typical route
The drive from Alaska to New York primarily follows the Alaska Highway (AK-1/BC-97) through Canada, connecting to I-90 or I-94 across the northern United States, then merging onto I-90 East through Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and into New York.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Anchorage, AK → New York City, NY
~5450 miles
Fairbanks, AK → New York City, NY
~5650 miles
Juneau, AK → Buffalo, NY
~5200 miles
Anchorage, AK → Albany, NY
~5350 miles
Wasilla, AK → Syracuse, NY
~5400 miles
The Price Tag of Relocating to New York from AK
Moving 5,400 miles from Alaska to New York 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.
What Type of Person Succeeds After Moving from AK to New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Binge Shopper, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or Retired Military, 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 New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from AK to NY
Wall Street Life
Alaska
1
/10
New York
9
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Oil money flows but no trading floor or expense account steakhouse
New York
Gaining
NYSE steps, power lunches at Delmonico's, Bloomberg chatter
Recommended NY cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Manhattan Financial District
Alaska
1
/10
New York
9
/10
Shopping
Alaska
3.5
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Shopping malls, local boutiques, artist galleries, outdoor gear, Alaska-made goods, gift shops, brick and mortar shopping
New York
Gaining
Saks to Supreme, sample sales, Broadway window temptation
Recommended NY cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Fifth AvenueSoHoWoodbury Common
Alaska
3.5
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Alaska
4
/10
New York
7
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Tight-knit suburbs exist but isolation is real
New York
Gaining
GreatSchools bragging, Staten Island Zoo days, LIRR carpools
Recommended NY cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
ScarsdaleManhassetStaten Island
Alaska
4
/10
New York
7
/10
Cowboys
Alaska
8
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Alaska State Fair rodeos, rugged frontier pride
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Alaska
8
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Alaska
10
/10
New York
6
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Denali climbs, glacier treks, trail ridge races, mountain biking, backcountry skiing galore
New York
Gaining
Gunks climbs, High Peaks bagging, Letchworth's canyon thrills
Recommended NY cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Adirondack High PeaksShawangunksLetchworth
Alaska
10
/10
New York
6
/10
Military Culture
Alaska
9
/10
New York
6
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Elmendorf and Fort Wainwright offer strong community
New York
Gaining
Fort Drum access, West Point pride, Griffiss services
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Militaries
WatertownWest PointRome
Alaska
9
/10
New York
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Alaska and living in New York
AlaskaNew York
AK to New York: A Foodie's Guide to Local Food
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 New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertThe Tax Gap Between AK and New York
Alaska
New York
AlaskavsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
The Political, Cultural, & Religious Landscape of AK vs New York
Alaska
New York
AlaskavsNew York
People
PeopleRugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionMajority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
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
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
The Climate Truth Between AK and New York
SUMMER
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
