My husband wants to move to the "Middle of Nowhere, Alaska". I tell him "The Ends of The Earth, North Dakota", is remote enough, cold enough, and painful enough. Of course I guess 40-below is 40-below - unless it's even colder there!
No it's not the same. I have been cold in Alaska, and much much colder in the states. You would really have to visit yourself to make an informed decision.