Alaska Local Expert
Mackenzie Schultz
“She's spent years learning how to type with her toes, but still not sure why.”
See full bio
Leaving Alaska for Texas: Was It Worth It?
Trading the Last Frontier for the Lone Star State is one of the more dramatic relocations a person can make, and the contrast between these two giant states goes far deeper than the temperature gap. Alaska trades glaciers and endless summer daylight for scorching heat and wide open plains, and the shift in day to day living catches most newcomers off guard. The cost of groceries alone tells a completely different story once you leave Alaska behind, and the sheer density of Texas cities can feel overwhelming after years of wide open wilderness. Our Snappy Scout team (Mackenzie & Francesca) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
Hauling Your Own Move from AK to TX
Average distance
3,700miles
Typical route
Driving from Alaska to Texas requires traveling through Canada via the Alaska Highway (AK-1 / BC-97), then connecting through the contiguous US via I-5, I-90, or I-15 southward before picking up I-10, I-20, or I-35 into Texas.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Anchorage, AK → Houston, TX
~3750 miles
Anchorage, AK → Dallas, TX
~3700 miles
Fairbanks, AK → Dallas, TX
~3900 miles
Juneau, AK → San Antonio, TX
~3550 miles
Anchorage, AK → Austin, TX
~3700 miles
Should You Move From Alaska to Texas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Texas 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 Honest Cost of Relocating from AK to TX
Moving 3,700 miles from Alaska to Texas 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.
Who Wins After Moving from AK to TX?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Retired Snowbird, or College Student, you'll thrive in your move to Texas. But if you're more of a Retired Military, Homesteader, or CrossFit Regular, 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 Texas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from AK to TX
Tech Scene
Alaska
2
/10
Texas
8
/10
Alaska
Giving up
No Silicon Valley vibes, limited startup scene struggles here
Texas
Gaining
Austin’s laid back Silicon Hills startups and Plano’s corporate tech parks
Recommended TX cities/areas for Tech Bros
AustinPlano
Alaska
2
/10
Texas
8
/10
Snowbirds
Alaska
4.5
/10
Texas
6.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Beautiful summers but winters are brutally long here
Texas
Gaining
Sun-soaked South Padre rolling sand dune winters and world-class birdwatching at Santa Ana refuge
Recommended TX cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Corpus ChristiMcAllen
Alaska
4.5
/10
Texas
6.5
/10
University Life
Alaska
7.5
/10
Texas
8.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Small, hands-on, remote campuses, strong community ties
Texas
Gaining
Tailgates at UT, Aggie yell practice, and Raiderland parties
Recommended TX cities/areas for College Students
Alaska
7.5
/10
Texas
8.5
/10
Military Culture
Alaska
9
/10
Texas
2
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Elmendorf and Fort Wainwright offer strong community
Texas
Gaining
Bases anchor life though cities sprawl without coastal charm
Recommended TX cities/areas for Retired Militaries
San AntonioKilleen
Alaska
9
/10
Texas
2
/10
Homesteading
Alaska
9
/10
Texas
4.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Think brassicas, DIY greenhouses, and chopping wood
Texas
Gaining
Hill Country ranches offer wide open spaces, though heat tests the grit of non-natives
Recommended TX cities/areas for Homesteaders
Hill Country
Alaska
9
/10
Texas
4.5
/10
Fitness
Alaska
8.5
/10
Texas
5.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Iditarod-tough culture keeps gyms packed
Texas
Gaining
Big box gyms dominate the big cities, but CrossFit groups are around, punching way above their weight
Recommended TX cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
DallasHouston
Alaska
8.5
/10
Texas
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Texas?
Summer thunderstorms in Texas are loud, powerful, and offer a welcome break from the heat.
– Francesca Hernandez-Singer
Texas Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Alaska and living in Texas
AlaskaTexas
How the Way Locals Eat Changes When You Move from AK to TX
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 Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertThe Tax Story When Moving from AK to TX
Alaska
Texas
AlaskavsTexas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
None, zero percent statewide!!
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
VS
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
VS
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Divide of AK vs TX
Alaska
Texas
AlaskavsTexas
People
PeopleRugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
VS
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Politics
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
VS
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
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 Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
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
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
From AK to TX: How the Weather Stack Up
SUMMER
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
WINTER
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Texas
Outdoor music venues and food & wine festivals are still going strong in October!
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Texas
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 Texas. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Texas local experts.
Moving toAustin
Prep for Tacos, Traffic & Endless Live Music
