Moving from Alaska to Washington: Your Comprehensive Guide

If you’re moving from Alaska to Washington state, you’re not alone. According to IRS migration data, Washington is the most common destination for Alaska residents headed for a different state.

Whether you’re moving from Alaska to Washington to experience a different lifestyle, take advantage of new job opportunities, further your military career, or embrace some other kind of life change, understanding the ins and outs of this route can save you time—and money. (And reduce your stress!)

We’ll cover everything you need to know to make a simple and easy move from Alaska to Washington state.

Why Move from Alaska to Washington?

Living in Alaska is the adventure of a lifetime. However, for some Alaska residents, there comes a time to leave the Land of the Midnight Sun for a new destination. In the lower 48, Washington is the state that former Alaska residents choose most, followed by Texas, California, and Arizona.

What makes Washington so appealing to former Alaska residents? Everyone has their own reasons for moving, but some of the most common reasons for moving from Alaska to Washington state include:

Perhaps you’ve grown tired of rugged and remote Alaska, but you’re not ready to leave your outdoor lifestyle completely behind.  

Washington’s mountains, rivers, and coastlines offer plenty of outdoor fun. You’ll still find it easy to get out and hike, bike, ski, camp, fish, boat, and hunt—many of the activities you might have enjoyed in Alaska.  

Alongside those outdoor landscapes, you’ll get the chance to explore Washington’s more urban areas, like Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver. Within these cities, you’ll find tons of amenities like shops, bars, restaurants, and cultural activities, along with career and educational opportunities—all things that may have felt few and far between in certain parts of Alaska.  

For die-hard Alaska residents, proximity to the lower 48 may not feel like a perk.

But if you’ve got family and friends in the lower 48, living in Washington can make it much easier to see them on a regular basis. A visit to Oregon can be as simple as hopping in the car and driving for a few hours.

Additionally, plane tickets to explore the lower 48, either to visit family or simply take in the sights, can be much cheaper from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or one of Washington’s other airports.

Former Alaska residents can explore a new set of career opportunities in Washington. In and around Seattle, home to companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Qualtrics, many Washington residents work in the tech sector. The aerospace industry also employs a number of Washington residents, with more Boeing employees in Washington than anywhere else in the world. Washington residents also hold jobs in agriculture and food manufacturing, the state’s second-largest manufacturing industry behind aerospace.  

We’ve also assisted military servicemembers moving from Alaska’s military installations, including Eielson Air Force Base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Greely. Popular Washington destinations for servicemembers include Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Fairchild Air Force Base. 

Moving from Alaska to Washington: An Overview of the Process

Next, let’s take a look at the “how” of moving from Alaska to Washington. Since Alaska is a relatively remote origin point, there are a few factors you’ll want to understand to prevent unwelcome surprises and simplify your move. 

Key Moving Options for the Alaska-to-Washington Route

When you move your belongings from Alaska to Washington, there are three main modes for getting everything from Point A to Point B:

Tips for Choosing the Right Alaska Moving Company

As you may have experienced during your time in the Last Frontier, the Alaska landscape can present significant challenges. Remote areas, limited highways, and treacherous road conditions during the winter months and spring breakup can all add complexity to Alaska logistics. Hiring a company with a solid track record in Alaska moves will set you up for a simpler move.

We recommend requesting written quotes from three, professional Alaska moving companies before making a final decision. This will give you a good lay of the land for the cost of your Washington move.

A couple of tips as you evaluate these quotes:

• Make sure that you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at the quotes. In other words, make sure the quotes represent moves of the same size and weight. If there’s a big difference in one quote, make sure you understand why—and ask about any other potential charges that might add to your final cost—before accepting the quote.

• We also suggest that you only use licensed and insured movers to protect your move. Find out more—and research your mover—on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.

• Don’t forget to ask about full-value protection to protect yourself against damage or loss of your items while they’re making their way from Washington to Alaska.

Factors That Impact Moving Costs

As you look through your quotes, it can be helpful to be aware of the factors impacting your pricing. When professional moving companies put together an Alaska–Washington moving estimate, they’re looking at:

1. Where in Alaska you’re moving from: A move from Anchorage will be significantly easier than a move from a remote area of Alaska. (Although we do Alaska bush moves, too!) Additionally, the moving company will take into account any access challenges with moving your items, such as narrow roads leading to your home or multiple flights of stairs.
2. Where in Washington you’re moving to: Seattle is very close to the Port of Tacoma, making for a quicker move than to, say, Walla Walla or Pullman, Washington. Access issues at your destination in Washington will also impact the final cost of your move.
3. How much you’re moving: Your estimates will include a price per pound for your move. In other words, adding or subtracting items from your move will directly impact your final cost.
4. Any additional services you’ve requested, such as packing and unpacking services or custom crating of musical instruments and fine art.

Given all these factors, you can see why it’s tough to give a blanket estimate for how much a move from Alaska to Washington will cost. Your best bet for securing a number you can count on is to request those three quotes we mentioned above.

Don’t Worry About Filling a Container

When it comes to long-distance moves between Alaska and Washington, some people think they need to fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container.

At Royal Alaskan Movers, we tailor our moves to your moving goals. Rather than thinking in terms of filling a container, we’ll simply ask you what you want to move. From there, we’ll put together a solution to move those items to your new home. That might involve packing your belongings into sturdy wooden crates called lift vans, which we would then load into container headed to your destination.

In other words, rather than thinking about container sizes, think in terms of what you want to bring to Washington and choose a mover that will right-size a quote for your move.

Preparing for Your Move from Alaska to Washington: Essential Tips

Moving from Alaska to Washington comes with some unique considerations, which can quickly turn into speed bumps. Below, you’ll find our tips for avoiding the most common challenges surrounding Alaska–Washington relocations to set you up for a smooth move.

Use a Moving Checklist

It’s critical to stay organized during your Alaska move. A moving checklist can help you check off your to-dos exactly when you need to—and stay ahead of the game.

Our Royal Alaskan Movers moving checklist can be a great starting point for your move. As you’ll see, we recommend starting at least eight weeks out from your intended move date. (To maximize your chances of scheduling your preferred moving date, give us a call as soon as you know you’re moving to Washington!)

Take our moving checklist, customize it for your move, and you’ll know exactly what to do for your Alaska-Washington move, every step of the way.

Downsize to Get Organized—and Save Money

We recommend that all our clients do a thorough downsizing before moving out of Alaska.

Downsizing will help you get all your belongings organized, and it will also help you save money on your move. As we noted above, if you’re using professional movers, your move will be priced by weight. Don’t waste your money by moving things you no longer need. Instead, take this opportunity to lighten your load by donating, selling, or trashing unwanted items and shave a few dollars off your moving costs.

Plan Your Move Early

Alaska winter weather and even spring breakup can make Alaska logistics difficult. If you can plan ahead and avoid moving during those times, you’ll encounter fewer weather complications and delays.

If you’re relocating during Alaska’s summer months, it’s still important to plan ahead as far as possible. Summer is a popular time for Alaska moves:

• For families with children, relocating during the summer means fewer disruptions to kids’ school schedules.
• Others simply see the benefit of moving when there’s no snow, sleet, or thick breakup mud to deal with.

If you’d like to move out of Alaska during the summer months, schedule your move as soon as possible to get your first pick of dates.

Packing Materials Matter

Your belongings may travel more than 2,000 miles to get from Alaska to Washington. To ensure everything arrives in excellent condition, don’t skimp on packing materials.

Our teams use plenty of packing paper to cushion the belongings we pack for our customers. Packing paper is available at hardware stores and office supply stores—and it’s recyclable.

It can be tempting to re-use old cardboard boxes for your move, but we’d recommend against it. Cardboard boxes aren’t designed to be re-used. Their structural integrity weakens after the first use. Plus, if they’re stored for any significant amount of time, cardboard boxes absorb moisture, weakening them even further.

• If you’re packing yourself for your Alaska–Washington move, get new boxes to ensure they’re strong enough to protect your belongings in transit.
• If you choose professional packing services, your crew will show up with all the materials they need to safely move your belongings, including new boxes, packing paper, tape, and more.

Flying Out of Alaska with Pets

If you’re flying with your pets from Alaska to Washington, Alaska Airlines will likely be your best bet. Review their requirements for flying with pets carefully, and book your tickets early, since the number of pets on each flight can be limited.

Restricted/Prohibited Items When Driving Through Canada

If you decide to drive your belongings through Canada over the ALCAN, you need to be aware of some restrictions when crossing the border into Canada.

• Where alcohol is concerned, there are limits to what you’re allowed to bring in duty-free. Anything above the limit will be subject to duty and taxes.

• Firearms and weapons will need to be declared at the border, and some types of firearms are restricted. Make sure you review all of the regulations before packing your vehicle.

• Canada also has regulations covering food, plants, and animals you’ll want to review before making the drive.

• Finally, if you own Native Alaskan art or objects that incorporate animal parts, you may want to ship these separately to your new home. (This is where air freight might come in!) For more information, review this guide from the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Canada government’s regulations on the import of cultural property.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Moving from Alaska to Washington

Finally, we’ll answer a few common questions we hear when talking with customers about moving from Alaska to Washington.

What Kind of Climate Can I Expect in Washington State?

Some Alaska residents are thrilled at the prospect of leaving Alaska winters behind for the weather they’ll find in Washington state.

• If you’re headed for a location in western Washington—like Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Olympia, Redmond, or Bainbridge Island—you’ll experience a more moderate winter than you would in Anchorage or in Alaska’s Interior. Average lows in western Washington range from 36-45°F in the winter to 55-73°F in the summer.

• If you’re moving to an eastern Washington location—like Spokane, Yakima, Kennewick, Pasco, or Richland—you’ll experience a wider distribution of temperatures than in western Washington. Expect temperatures that range from 26-34°F in winter to 56-83°F in the summer.

What Are the Best Places to Live in Washington?

If you’re looking for an urban area with a full range of amenities, places like Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane are all popular destinations. If you’re looking for a smaller town experience, Snoqualmie or North Bend might fit the bill.

We’ve moved customers all over the state to places like Bellevue, Bellingham, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Redmond, and Covington—among many, many others. Typically, those looking for a quieter lifestyle with a lower cost of living head for destinations in eastern Washington, like Spokane.

The housing market in Washington varies significantly by location. Seattle, for instance, has one of the priciest real estate markets in the country. (It ranked #12 in a Kiplinger list of U.S. cities with the highest home prices.) If affordability is a concern, explore some of the neighboring areas like Bothell and Lynnwood.

You’ll find a huge range of landscapes and lifestyles in Washington state. With a little research, you’ll find the perfect one for you.

Is It Cheaper to Live in Alaska or Washington?

Living in eastern Washington state can be cheaper than living in Alaska. As you can see in the figures below, a place like Spokane, WA can offer a lower cost of living than Anchorage or Fairbanks.

However, living in the cities in the western part of Washington may present a higher cost of living than you’re used to in Alaska. Adjust your budget accordingly.

Cost of Living vs. Anchorage, Alaska

Cost of Living vs. Fairbanks, Alaska

(Source: bestplaces.net)

A Stress-Free, Simpler Move to Washington

There’s no question that moving from Alaska to Washington will be a big change. With the right research, preparation, and support, you can eliminate most of the surprises—and focus settling into your new home.

Need some help with your move from Alaska to Washington? We’d be happy to offer you a complimentary quote. Just reach out to our team, and we’ll put together a custom solution for a safe, easy, and affordable move.