Moving from Arizona to Alaska
Moving from Arizona to Alaska covers roughly 2,005 miles, and you have two genuine options: barge your belongings from Tacoma, or drive the Alaska Highway through Canada with them. This checklist covers the paperwork, the timing, and everything else the move involves.
Generate My ChecklistAZ vs AK at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Freight shipping required; cost varies by cargo volume.
What This Move Means for You
Higher cost of living
Alaska runs about 20% more expensive than Arizona overall. Budget extra for housing, groceries, and day-to-day costs before committing to a new place.
No state income tax in Alaska
Alaska charges no state income tax, versus a top rate around 2.5% in Arizona. For most movers that means a meaningful bump in take-home pay.
Colder winters ahead
Alaska averages 33°F cooler than Arizona. Pack cold-weather clothing and expect higher heating bills through the winter.
Before You Leave Arizona
File Form 140PY for the year you move
You are a part-year resident if you move out of Arizona intending to give up your residency. File Form 140PY. Arizona taxes all income you earned while you lived here. It also taxes income from Arizona sources after you leave. Enter the date you gave up residency and the name of your new state. If two states tax the same income, see Form 309 for a credit.
Source: Arizona Department of Revenue, Form 140PY Instructions (2025)Order a paper title before you register the car elsewhere
Arizona stores title information electronically. You do not automatically get a paper title. You may need a paper title when you move out of state. Order one with the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. The fee is $4. If you still have a loan on the car, ask your lender how it will send the title to your new state.
Source: ADOT, Title and Registration TopicsYou do not have to tell MVD you moved
When you register the car in your new state, that state should notify Arizona MVD. Until that happens, you may still get registration renewal and insurance notices. Arizona does not refund the rest of your registration after you register the car somewhere else.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQKeep Arizona insurance until you register the car elsewhere
Keep your Arizona insurance until your new state registers the car. Insurance companies report cancelled policies to MVD. A lapse can lead to a registration suspension. With an insurance suspension in Arizona, you cannot get a driver license in another state until you clear it. To clear it, show proof of Arizona insurance that was in effect at the time. If you cannot, pay a $50 reinstatement fee and show current Arizona insurance.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQRegister a house you rent out with the county assessor
If you keep a home and rent it out, record it with the assessor in its county. An owner who lives outside Arizona must also name a statutory agent who lives in Arizona. Do this before a tenant moves in. State law does not let anyone live in the rental until the record is on file. Update the information within 10 days after it changes. A city or town can fine an owner who does not register.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1902, Residential rental propertyMaricopa County: a house you leave is no longer a primary residence
A primary residence is your one main home, where you or a qualified family member live more than seven months a year. If you claim a home in another state as your primary residence, the Arizona house no longer qualifies. A house rented to someone outside the family becomes class 4.2 rental property. Class 4.2 does not get the State Aid credit, so the tax bill may go up.
Source: Maricopa County Assessor, FAQYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
Compare barge freight from Tacoma against driving the Alaska Highway yourself — the drive runs several days through Canada and needs a passport for everyone in the vehicle, plus proof of rabies vaccination for pets. Barge lead times run several weeks, so book early either way.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Alaska DMV, register to vote in AK, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Arizona
Hot desert climate with dry heat, sunny skies, and mild winters.
Alaska
Subarctic climate with long, extremely cold winters and brief summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Arizona
Alaska
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Arizona to Alaska?
Arizona and Alaska are approximately 2,005 miles apart as the crow flies.
- Because the route crosses water, you will need to ship your belongings by freight rather than driving a moving truck.
How much does it cost to move from Arizona to Alaska?
Shipping household goods to Alaska requires freight transport.
- Costs typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on cargo volume and carrier, and do not follow the seasonal pricing patterns of truck moves.
How do I ship my belongings to Alaska?
You have two options.
- Barge service runs between Tacoma and Alaskan ports such as Anchorage and Whittier, typically taking one to two weeks door to door.
- Alternatively you can drive the Alaska Highway through British Columbia and Yukon with a rental truck or trailer — several days on the road, and everyone in the vehicle needs a passport to cross into Canada.
- Compare both; the barge is usually simpler, the drive is sometimes cheaper for a small load.
What is the cost of living difference between Arizona and Alaska?
Arizona has a cost of living index of 107.6 versus 129 for Alaska (US average = 100).
- Overall, Alaska is about 20% higher than Arizona.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Alaska?
After establishing residency in Alaska, you have 90 days to update your driver's license at a Alaska DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Alaska DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Alaska?
Alaska has subarctic climate with long, extremely cold winters and brief summers.
- The annual average temperature is 27°F, with about 16 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $144.