Moving to Alaska statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to Alaska?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 30,676 people moved to Alaska in 2023, while 35,800 moved out. This represents an outflow of 5,124 Alaska residents. Between 2020 and 2021, the state ranked 36th in national net migration, ranking similarly to Nebraska and Michigan.

The number of people moving to Alaska has, however, decreased from 2022 to 2023. There were 36,563 total movers entering the state in 2022, and 30,676 in 2023. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Alaska ranked as the No. 16 most desired state to relocate to.

While Alaska remains one of the smallest states in the U.S. by population, there has been a steady migration within the decade between 2012 and 2022. In 2012, 33,415 moved to the state, similar to the numbers seen in recent years. In fact, up to 60% of the state’s population are migrants from other states and countries. As recently as 2018, 45,436 and 31,839 Alaska residents had migrated from either California or Washington, respectively, totaling just over 10% of the total population.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Alaska

Despite having a large migrant population, and being movers’ No. 16 most desired state so far in 2024, the ConsumerAffairs research team ranked Alaska as the 47th best state to move to based on weighted factors like affordability and quality of life. This disparity between significant migration numbers and a low desirability ranking can largely be explained by the state’s unique climate and economy.

As of 2018, 38% of Alaska manufacturing workers were migrants, including those working in jobs related to petroleum and mining. These industries are known for their boom-bust nature, attracting migrants as quickly as those same workers leave when job opportunities dry up. Fishing is another major Alaskan industry that follows this model.

Alaska also hosts one of the harshest climates in the U.S., with average summer temperatures as low as 30 degrees in some regions. In winter, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach 60 degrees below 0.

Through the combination of these factors, Alaskan towns and cities can consistently attract migrants, despite low desirability for many U.S. movers. The top five Alaska cities people moved to between 2020 and 2023 are as follows:

Wasilla is the most popular Alaska move-in destination, attracting 834 new migrants between 2020 and 2023. This small town of just under 10,000 is only 45 minutes from Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, and boasts a booming economy. The competitive job market here centers around petroleum, seafood and air cargo.

Why do people move to Alaska?

The most common reason people move to Alaska is employment, with the top industry being manufacturing. Thirty-eight percent of Alaska’s manufacturing workers were migrants in 2018, followed by 23% of finance and insurance workers and 21% of wholesale trade workers.

However, only addressing employment misses the larger picture of migration to Alaska. With less stringent laws and a surplus of entry-level manufacturing jobs, formerly incarcerated people are overly represented among the population. More than 7 in 10 Alaskans (71%) either know someone who has been incarcerated or have been themselves.

Alaska housing statistics

With a median rent price of $1,583.64 and a median home sale price of $388,000, renters and homeowners alike can live in Alaska for less than the national average.

Alaska has a moderately high property tax rate of 1.04%, ranking as the 21st most expensive in the U.S. States with similar rates include Missouri and Maryland. In 2021, the average property owner in Anchorage paid $4,407 in annual property taxes, while the average property owner in Kenai paid $1,759.

Cost-of-living statistics in Alaska

With a cost-of-living index of 124.4, Alaska has the fifth highest cost of living nationwide. However, the state’s median household income of $84,144 is also higher than the U.S. average of $75,358. The state also has the ninth highest unemployment rate in the U.S., at 4.5%. The national unemployment rate is 4.2%.

In line with Alaska’s cost of living, and despite having an energy-driven economy, the state also has higher-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $3.72, or 14% higher than the U.S. average of $3.26. Alaska is not a particularly green state, ranking 30th on the national stage.

Unlike other states, where a high cost of living can result from urbanization and state policy, Alaska’s high cost of living is largely caused by logistics. Far removed from the lower 48 and all the goods produced there, Alaskans can expect to pay more for the nonlocal goods shipped in. In Fairbanks alone, the cost of heating fuel is over 100% higher than the national average.

Who lives in Alaska?

Alaska has an estimated population of 733,406 in 2023. This represents a population increase of 130 people compared to 2022. Alaska is the 48th largest state in terms of population.

Alaska’s population is skewed male, at 52.5%. Conversely, women nationwide only account for 49.5% of the population. In 2023, 385,345 Alaska residents were male, and 348,061 were female.

Alaska’s population averages slightly younger (36.1 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9. In total, those under 35 years old account for 354,095 residents, or just over 48% of the state’s population. The most abundant age demographic in the state is those between 30 to 34 years old, accounting for roughly 8% of the population.

Those who identify as white make up the largest share of Alaska’s residents, at just over 64%. Black, Asian and Hispanic residents account for 3.7%, 6.8% and 7.5% of the population, respectively. The state is also known for a higher-than-average indigenous population, which accounts for 15.6% of residents. Comparatively, Indigenous Americans only account for 2.9% of the population nationwide.

Tips for moving to Alaska

Not sure how to start your move to Alaska? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Research the cost of living

Due to the increased cost of goods and services, Alaska can have a higher cost of living when compared to other states. To plan your budget accordingly, utilize the cost-of-living information available on the Alaska.gov website.

2. Prepare for harsh winters

Alaskan winters can be long, dark and extreme, reaching as low as 60 degrees below 0. Before moving, we recommend acquiring appropriate clothing, ensuring you know how to winterize your vehicle and looking into home heating options.

3. Understand the wildlife

Grizzly bears might not scare the average Montana resident, but if you’re moving to Alaska from a more urban state, consider researching the local wildlife. Familiarize yourself with safety practices for encounters with bears, moose and other animals.

4. Learn about employment opportunities

Many migrants move to Alaska for job opportunities, and if you’re one of those potential migrants, research is essential. Key industries in the state include oil, fishing and tourism. You may also consider remote work if your industry allows it. Visit the AlaskaJobs system for more information.

5. Familiarize yourself with the Permanent Fund Dividend

When you become an Alaska resident, you may be eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). The dividend provides annual payments to Alaskans from the state’s oil revenues. Learn more about eligibility and application requirements here.

6. Know your transportation options

While there are maintained roads around Alaska’s most popular move-in destinations, this vast state lacks overall infrastructure. This is especially true in the winter when many formerly accessible areas become inaccessible by road. You might need to rely on ferries, planes or boats to get to certain regions. To plan ahead, utilize this resource.

7. Stay informed about taxes

Alaska has no state income tax or sales tax in most areas. However, some municipalities do have local taxes. Check local regulations depending on where you plan to live.

8. Understand health care options

Health care access can be limited in remote areas of Alaska. Make sure you're aware of the closest facilities and any unique health care challenges in your area.

9. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Alaska, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees due to the state's remote nature. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total moving cost is standard based on the quality of service.