Hawaii at a Glance
Making Hawaii your new home may seem like a lofty ambition at first, but plenty of people are making it work. Yes, you’ll have to pay more for your daily necessities (it costs money to ship stuff out there, after all), but you’re also going to be living in Hawaii. Y’know… the place where people want to go on their vacations.
Speaking of vacations, you’re going to have to accept the crowds of tourists. It’s a huge industry out there, and during certain months, the crowds will be unavoidable. No matter what island you choose, you’re always going to see out-of-towners. But you’re also always going to have great weather, great waves, and great food, too.
Hawaii has its own culture, and you’ll get it eventually. Just don’t try to force it. There’s nothing cringier than some New Yorker acting like he’s all Blue Crush or whatever. In due time, you’ll get more relaxed, more chill, and more used to your new home in the Aloha State.
Why Move to Hawaii?
As if you needed any convincing. But if you need a conversation starter when you’re rubbing elbows with the other transplants, here are some good reasons to move:
- Weather: Full disclosure: You’ll have the occasional tropical shower. It’s a small price to pay for never having to shovel snow.
- Waves: Come on in, the water’s fine! Hawaiian beaches are world-class, and the water’s bathtub is warm. And even if you don’t surf, there’s…
- Tons of outdoors activities: Hiking, sailing, surfing, the list goes on. Hawaii has epic natural beauty, and there’s no better way to see it.
- Laid-back culture: Have you ever met a high-strung Hawaiian? Didn’t think so. It’s almost like living on a tropical island does something to ease your stress levels.
- Less crowded: Yes, there are tourists, but they come and go. Hawaii is still less crowded than other states, and even if you’re on the big island you can find some peace and quiet.
- Safer: Since Hawaii’s economy is largely driven by tourism, they take safety and security really seriously. Take notes, Los Angeles.
- It’s HAWAII: Are you worried about moving someplace and losing touch with your old friends? If you move to Hawaii, they’ll definitely make time to visit.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Hawaii?
If you want to move to Hawaii, it’ll cost you between $6,00 and $15,020 but we’ve seen some moves that were a little cheaper or more expensive. Your final price depends on how much stuff you’re taking with you, and how far it all has to travel. And unfortunately, Hawaii is pretty far away…
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| Local (Less than 100 Miles) | $590 – $800 | $910 – $1920 | $1437 – $4738 |
| 100 miles | $1223 – $1725 | $1421 – $1922 | $1831 – $3645 |
| 250 miles | $1426 – $2137 | $1631 – $3633 | $2146 – $4947 |
| 750 miles | $1626 – $3041 | $2234 – $7035 | $5648 – $8049 |
| 1500 miles | $1841 – $3342 | $2731 – $7532 | $6833 – $9934 |
| 2500 miles+ | $2021 – $3824 | $4045 – $8446 | $15020+ |
Our Most Recommended Long Distance Movers in Hawaii
Adams Van Lines
- Professional staff
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Pricing Van Lines
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Native Van Lines
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Hawaii?
Pros
- It’s Hawaii
- The weather’s great
- The locals are friendly
- Plenty of outdoor activities
- Some islands are less crowded
Cons
- It’s also about 2,400 miles away
- There are occasional tropical storms
- The locals are friendly (to locals)
- (Nothing wrong with that, tbh)
- Some islands are swamped with tourists
What's the Cost of Living in Hawaii?
- Median home price: $860,000
- Average rent: $3,000 per month
- Utilities: About $320 per month
- Gas: About $4.70 per gallon, depends on the island
- Groceries: About $500 per month
Hawaii is paradise, but paradise doesn’t come cheap. According to Zillow, the median home price in Hawaii is about $860,000. If you’re thinking of renting, you’ll have to pay in the neighborhood of $3,000 per month. Pretty steep, but keep in mind some islands are cheaper than others!
In terms of your monthly expenses… Hawaii commands some of the highest prices we’ve ever seen. Utilities are a little above average, at $320 per month. Gas was also predictably expensive: $4.70 per gallon on average, which makes California look downright affordable.
But the big shocker was groceries: $500 per month, and that’s if you’re being thrifty. It takes a lot of money to ship everything all the way out to Hawaii, and your wallet will feel it.
Where are the Best Places to Live in Hawaii?
Rather than basing this list on cities, we decided to take an island-by-island look at some of the best places to live in Hawaii:
1. Hawaii
Also known as the Big Island, and the namesake of the entire state. While it’s the largest by area, the Big Island isn’t actually the most-populated. In fact, the residents here enjoy a much quieter lifestyle than their neighbors. It’s pretty rural.
2. Maui
The second-biggest of the islands. Maui is home to Haleakalā, which is a huge mountain that draws in plenty of tourists on jeeps they probably shouldn’t be driving. The population isn’t as high as the Big Island, but keep in mind it’s like a 6th of the size.
3. Oahu
It may be the third-biggest island, but Oahu is the most populated. This is where you’ll find Honolulu, which means this is also where you’ll find the most crowds of tourists. Still, if you can hack the traffic, it’s a beautiful place to be.
4. Kauai
Kauai is nicknamed “the Garden Isle”, which makes sense considering the natural beauty of the island. If you really want a lot of nature and outdoor adventures, this is the island for you. Botanic gardens, oceanside cliffs, the works.
5. Molokai and Lanai
These are some of the smallest islands, and barring Niihau and Kahoolawe (privately-owned and uninhabited, respectively) these two islands round out the major stops in Hawaii. They’re more rural, less touristy, and also more affordable.
How’s the Job Market in Hawaii?
You’ll be able to find plenty of work in Hawaii, but odds are it’ll be related to tourism in some way, shape or form. Bus driver? You’re driving tourists around! Energy? You’re keeping the AC running in those hotels! Marketing? You’re stuck in an office writing SEO articles. Just kidding – you’re driving campaigns to bring in more tourists!
In fact, it’s easier to list the Hawaiian industries that don’t have anything to do with tourism. As we mentioned earlier, some of the islands are more rural, and are pretty heavily invested in agriculture. There’s also fishing, mining, and even finance.
It’s worth mentioning that Hawaii has its own distinctive vibe. The locals don’t live to work; they work to live. Whatever you do for a living, it’s gonna pale in comparison to what you do in your free time. It’s not all about making money (even though you’ll need it to buy your groceries).
What is Hawaii Most Known For?
People don’t travel to Hawaii just because of the weather. There’s a ton of activities to get up to, and once you get there, you won’t know where to start. Here are a few ideas to send you in the right direction:
- Surfing: You probably already knew about this one, but we’d risk looking completely ignorant if we didn’t mention the excellent waves. If you don’t know how to surf, you will. In fact, thanks to the warm water, there’s probably no better place to learn.
- Hiking and the great outdoors: If you’re a real landlubber, not to worry. There’s plenty of majestic views and breathtaking scenery. Hawaii is like Jurassic Park in real life. Actually, that’s where they filmed a lot of the movie. Can’t blame ‘em.
- Historic sites: Hawaii may be one of the newest states, but it’s got plenty of history that dates back centuries – and even millennia. It’s been argued that Hawaii was first settled way back in like… 124AD. From pre-colonial to post-colonial, there’s tons to see.
- Great food: Yes, your groceries will be expensive. Probably the most expensive we’ve seen. But when it comes to dining out? If you’re not dieting, Hawaii is probably the best state for getting your grub on. Hope you like spam, pork, and pineapple.
- Great atmosphere: This is one of the first things that comes to mind when people think “Hawaii”. It’s hard to feel rushed or stressed out when you’re living in a tropical paradise. Sure, there’s a bit of localism, but mind your manners and you’ll be fine.
What are the Best Schools and Universities in Hawaii?
When it comes to Hawaii, your choice in school largely depends on your choice of island. The Hawaii State Department of Education operates 257 schools across all the major islands (and Oahu has 4 districts all to themselves).
Mililani High School and Waiakea High School have solid reputations. There’s also the ‘Iolani School and the Asia Pacific International School if you’re okay with paying for private school.
If you want to stay in Hawaii for higher ed, we can’t blame you. There’s the University of Hawaii system, which operates campuses at Hilo and Manoa. The University of Hawaii – West Oahu is also a great choice. And again, if you want to go private, there’s Brigham Young’s Hawaii branch too.
Aloha Means Goodbye, But It Also Means Hello
Ready to say Aloha to your new place? Hawaii is calling, and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t just a little bit jealous. Fortunately, we’re here to help make your Hawaii move as easy and straightforward as possible.
Moving day can mean plenty of stress and challenges – and that’s not really the best way to start your life in Hawaii. Instead, let the team at Moving APT handle it. Use our moving cost calculator to get a custom quote, and we’ll handle the heavy lifting! Tell us a little more about your move to get started today!
