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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Alaska to Utah Move: What the Move Will Actually Cost You
Trading the Last Frontier for the Beehive State is one of the more dramatic relocations a person can make, and the contrast goes far beyond the distance on a map. Alaska offers rugged isolation, midnight sun summers, and a lifestyle built around self-reliance and open wilderness, while Utah swaps all of that for red rock canyons, a booming tech economy, and a tight-knit community culture unlike anywhere else in the country. The cold stays in both places, but the way people live within it could not be more different. Our Snappy Scout team (Mackenzie & Ann) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up the moving truck for this long haul south.
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Who's Behind This Guide
The Route from AK to Utah
Average distance
3,400miles
Typical route
The drive from Alaska to Utah typically takes you along the Alaska Highway (AK-1 / AK-2) through Canada, connecting to US-93 and I-15 through Montana and Idaho into Utah.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Anchorage, AK → Salt Lake City, UT
~3400 miles
Fairbanks, AK → Salt Lake City, UT
~3750 miles
Juneau, AK → Salt Lake City, UT
~3200 miles
Anchorage, AK → Provo, UT
~3450 miles
Fairbanks, AK → Ogden, UT
~3800 miles
Should You Move From Alaska to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah 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 to Utah from AK
Moving 3,400 miles from Alaska to Utah 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.
That's the average.
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Who Struggles After Moving from AK to Utah?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, PTA President, or Binge Shopper, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Craft Beer Fan, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from AK to UT
Tech Scene
Alaska
2
/10
Utah
9
/10
Alaska
Giving up
No Silicon Valley vibes, limited startup scene struggles here
Utah
Gaining
Silicon Slopes startups, VC meetups, near freeway offices.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Tech Bros
LehiDraperProvo
Alaska
2
/10
Utah
9
/10
PTA Life
Alaska
4
/10
Utah
8
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Strong community spirit but small school districts limit it
Utah
Gaining
Corner Canyon games, Farmington fundraisers, endless bake sale glory.
Recommended UT cities/areas for PTA Presidents
DraperFarmingtonHighland
Alaska
4
/10
Utah
8
/10
Shopping
Alaska
3.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Shopping malls, local boutiques, artist galleries, outdoor gear, Alaska-made goods, gift shops, brick and mortar shopping
Utah
Gaining
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Salt Lake CityMurrayFarmington
Alaska
3.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Beach Culture
Alaska
8
/10
Utah
3
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Beaches absolutely exist but think tide-pooling, rocky shores, and maybe a wetsuit
Utah
Gaining
Sunny days abound, but Great Salt Lake is not Maui.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Beach Bums
St. GeorgeGarden CityHurricane
Alaska
8
/10
Utah
3
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Alaska
9
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Anchorage Brewing Co. and glacier-cold pints
Utah
Gaining
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Recommended UT cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Salt Lake CityOgdenMidvaleSt. George
Alaska
9
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
Fitness
Alaska
8.5
/10
Utah
7
/10
Alaska
Giving up
Iditarod-tough culture keeps gyms packed
Utah
Gaining
FitCon at Salt Palace, boxes everywhere, mountain stair lungs.
Recommended UT cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
Salt Lake CityLehiSt. George
Alaska
8.5
/10
Utah
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Alaska and living in Utah
AlaskaUtah
How the Way Locals Eat Shifts When You Move from AK to Utah
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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertUtah looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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The Tax Story When Moving to Utah from AK
Alaska
Utah
AlaskavsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Shift of AK vs Utah
Alaska
Utah
AlaskavsUtah
People
PeopleRugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean 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
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
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
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
From AK to Utah: How the Climate Change
SUMMER
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.