Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“I have spent my entire life in Illinois, learning early that the state is equal parts cornfields, quiet downtowns, and…”
Read more about me
Illinois to Alaska Move: Red State, Blue State — What Really Changes
Trading the flat prairies of Illinois for the untamed wilderness of Alaska is one of the boldest relocations a person can make in the Lower 48, and that distance is just the beginning of the contrast. Illinois gives you four mild seasons, dense urban infrastructure, and easy access to the Midwest's sprawling highway network. Alaska answers back with glaciers, perpetual summer daylight, brutal winter darkness, and a cost of living that will catch even the most prepared mover off guard. The two states share almost nothing in climate, culture, or logistics, which makes planning this move more involved than most. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Mackenzie) dug into the costs, shipping realities, and lifestyle adjustments you need to understand long before the moving truck pulls away from your driveway.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Distance from IL to AK
Average distance
3,300miles
Typical route
The drive from Illinois to Alaska typically follows a route through the northern United States and into Canada before reaching Alaska via the Alaska Highway.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Anchorage, AK
~3350 miles
Springfield, IL → Anchorage, AK
~3300 miles
Chicago, IL → Fairbanks, AK
~3550 miles
Rockford, IL → Anchorage, AK
~3250 miles
Peoria, IL → Juneau, AK
~3050 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Alaska Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Alaska from Illinois 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.
How Much Is Moving from IL to AK Really Going to Cost?
Moving 3,300 miles from Illinois 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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Who Wins After Moving from IL to AK?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to Alaska. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Stay at Home Mom, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 Illinois to Alaska.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to AK
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
Alaska
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Alaska
Gaining
Alaska State Fair rodeos, rugged frontier pride
Recommended AK cities/areas for Cowboys
PalmerDelta Junction
Illinois
3.5
/10
Alaska
8
/10
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Alaska
10
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Alaska
Gaining
Denali climbs, glacier treks, trail ridge races, mountain biking, backcountry skiing galore
Recommended AK cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
McCarthyJuneauTalkeetnaAnchorage
Illinois
6
/10
Alaska
10
/10
DIYers
Illinois
7
/10
Alaska
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Alaska
Gaining
Off-grid builds are basically a local sport
Recommended AK cities/areas for DIYers
FairbanksWasillaPalmer
Illinois
7
/10
Alaska
8.5
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
Alaska
2
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Alaska
Gaining
No Silicon Valley vibes, limited startup scene struggles here
Recommended AK cities/areas for Tech Bros
Anchorage
Illinois
7
/10
Alaska
2
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Illinois
8
/10
Alaska
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Playdate heaven, quaint downtowns, Metra into Chicago.
Alaska
Gaining
Tight-knit suburbs exist but isolation is real
Recommended AK cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
AnchorageWasillaEagle River
Illinois
8
/10
Alaska
4
/10
Thrifting
Illinois
8.5
/10
Alaska
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Alaska
Gaining
Hidden gems in Anchorage thrift shops, if you look
Recommended AK cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
AnchorageFairbanks
Illinois
8.5
/10
Alaska
5.5
/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 Illinois and living in Alaska
IllinoisAlaska
What Eating Like a Local Looks Like in IL vs AK
Eating Like a Local in Illinois
While Chicago is all about deep dish pizza and Italian beef, Illinois has a much more mature palate. Depending on which exact city or suburb you find yourself in, the locals may eat differently. Rule #1, avoid chain restaurants (with the exception of Chicago-based chains, such as Portillo's Hot Dogs). Otherwise, find the mom & pop restaurant and trust your instinct! Any place named after a person won't steer you wrong.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois 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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What the Move from IL to AK Means for Your Tax Bill
Illinois
Alaska
IllinoisvsAlaska
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
What Hits Different About People, Politics, & Religion When You Move to AK from IL
Illinois
Alaska
IllinoisvsAlaska
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
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
The Honest Seasonal Comparison: IL vs AK
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
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 Illinois, 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.
