Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“I’ve moved so many times I basically have my own punch card — seventh move is free, right? After ping-ponging…”
Read more about me
Moving from FL to Alaska: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?
Two states that could not feel more different the moment you step outside. Trading Florida's year-round sunshine and flat, humid coastlines for Alaska's vast wilderness, brutal winters, and breathtaking isolation is one of the most dramatic relocations anyone can make within the United States. The cultural shift alone is enough to catch even seasoned movers off guard, and the logistical challenges of getting your belongings to the Last Frontier add a layer of complexity that most interstate moves simply do not have. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Mackenzie) dug into the real costs, the shipping and driving logistics, and the lifestyle adjustments you need to plan for before you start packing up your life in the Sunshine State.
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Could You Rent a Moving Truck from FL to AK?
Average distance
4,350miles
Typical route
The most common driving route from Florida to Alaska passes through the continental US and into Canada via the Alaska Highway (ALCAN). Key highways include I-10 West, I-20 West, I-40 West, US-93 North, and the Alaska Highway (BC-97 / Alaska Route 2).
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Miami, FL → Anchorage, AK
~4550 miles
Orlando, FL → Anchorage, AK
~4400 miles
Jacksonville, FL → Fairbanks, AK
~4500 miles
Tampa, FL → Juneau, AK
~4150 miles
Tallahassee, FL → Anchorage, AK
~4150 miles
Should You Move From Florida to Alaska Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Alaska from Florida 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 Price Tag of Relocating to AK from FL
Moving 4,350 miles from Florida to Alaska 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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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How Well Will You Acclimate in AK?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Cowboy, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Alaska. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Gamer, or Wall Street Exec, 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 Florida to Alaska.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to AK
Homesteading
Florida
6
/10
Alaska
9
/10
Florida
Giving up
Growing mangoes beats corn, but hurricanes test your grit.
Alaska
Gaining
Think brassicas, DIY greenhouses, and chopping wood
Recommended AK cities/areas for Homesteaders
WasillaPalmerFairbanksMoose Pass
Florida
6
/10
Alaska
9
/10
Cowboys
Florida
6.5
/10
Alaska
8
/10
Florida
Giving up
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Alaska
Gaining
Alaska State Fair rodeos, rugged frontier pride
Recommended AK cities/areas for Cowboys
PalmerDelta Junction
Florida
6.5
/10
Alaska
8
/10
Adventure Activities
Florida
9
/10
Alaska
10
/10
Florida
Giving up
Paddleboarding, hiking, camping, theme parks, and pirate-themed boat rides meet your adrenaline needs.
Alaska
Gaining
Denali climbs, glacier treks, trail ridge races, mountain biking, backcountry skiing galore
Recommended AK cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
McCarthyJuneauTalkeetnaAnchorage
Florida
9
/10
Alaska
10
/10
Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Alaska
4.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Alaska
Gaining
Beautiful summers but winters are brutally long here
Recommended AK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
AnchorageKetchikan
Florida
9.5
/10
Alaska
4.5
/10
Gaming
Florida
7.5
/10
Alaska
4
/10
Florida
Giving up
Mega conventions and humid nights spent grinding indoors.
Alaska
Gaining
Long dark winters help, but internet speeds often don't
Recommended AK cities/areas for Gamers
AnchorageFairbanks
Florida
7.5
/10
Alaska
4
/10
Wall Street Life
Florida
4
/10
Alaska
1
/10
Florida
Giving up
Deals happen poolside, but NYC energy is definitely missing.
Alaska
Gaining
Oil money flows but no trading floor or expense account steakhouse
Recommended AK cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Anchorage
Florida
4
/10
Alaska
1
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Alaska?
I live for the scent of cottonwood buds blooming in Spring. It is my happy place- and represents warmer, longer, sunnier days ahead!
– Mackenzie Schultz
Alaska Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Florida and living in Alaska
FloridaAlaska
The Unwritten Dining Rules in FL and AK
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertEating 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 ExpertAlaska looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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Is AK a Worse State for Your Tax Reality?
Florida
Alaska
FloridavsAlaska
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Moving from FL to AK: The People, Politics, & Religion Change
Florida
Alaska
FloridavsAlaska
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Alaska
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
Weather in FL vs AK: A Local's No-Nonsense Perspective
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Alaska
I love the transition of trading in my packraft paddles, fishing gear, camping equipment, and mountain bike for backcountry skis, ice climbing tools, ice skates, and a local library card!
Mackenzie SchultzAlaska Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Alaska
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 Florida, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Alaska. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Alaska local experts.
