Alaska to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 3,016 mile interstate move from Alaska to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme cold vs warm climate), food & health (like King Crab vs Poke), real estate & housing (log cabins, modern vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to King Crab and Reindeer Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 142% more expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in Hawaii is 68.34% more expensive than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to Hawaii movers is Ewa Moving Co.
Alaska to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to Hawaii
- Extreme cold
- Long, dark winters
- Remote locations
- High energy costs
- Limited agriculture
- Warm climate
- Year-round sunshine
- More urban areas
- Lower energy usage
- Abundant fresh produce
- Natural disasters
- High living costs
- Tourism crowds
- Limited forests
- Isolation
- Stunning scenery
- Rich wildlife
- Low population density
- Vast wilderness
- Unique culture
Pros of moving from Alaska to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to extreme cold and hello to a warm climate
- Look forward to moving away from long, dark winters and moving to Hawaii with year-round sunshine
- Swap the remote locations of Alaska for more urban areas in Hawaii
- Get ready for lower energy usage in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Alaska to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning scenery in Alaska to live with natural disasters in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich wildlife and have to settle for the con of high living costs
- Time to bid farewell to low population density and get used to tourist crowds in Hawaii
- Swap vast wilderness for limited forests
Alaska vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Reindeer Sausage | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Salmon Jerky | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Kelp Salsa | Poi |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alaska to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Reindeer Sausage and sumptuous Salmon Jerky, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kelp Salsa they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Poi of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like Simon & Seafort's, The Alaska Eatery, and Moose's Tooth. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Da Kitchen, and Leonard's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and Hawaii
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Log Cabins, Modern | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Land, Natural Scenery | Ocean Views, Tropical Landscape |
- The Log Cabins and Modern architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious land and natural scenery, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and tropical landscapes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- Hawaii housing costs are 142% more expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 67% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in Hawaii is 68.34% more expensive than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and Hawaii
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Snowstorms, Earthquakes | Volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/40Β°F | 85Β°F/70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F/-10Β°F | 78Β°F/63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 63" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 85% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and earthquakes in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 25 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 73 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 41 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and Hawaii
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4%-11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 5% more than in Alaska
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 25% higher than what you are used to living in Alaska
- Bummer... By moving from AK to HI, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% to 11%
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Alaska
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low poverty in Alaska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alaska and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed, with strong independent streak | Democratic dominance in state governance |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious presence | Christianity predominant, significant Buddhist & Shinto influence |
- Alaska tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with significant Buddhist and Shinto influence
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to Hawaii
Comparison | Alaska | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC K-8 School - Anchorage Pearl Creek Elementary - Fairbanks | Momilani Elementary School - Pearl City Mililani Ike Elementary School - Mililani Noelani Elementary School - Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Romig Middle School - Anchorage Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage | President Theodore Roosevelt High School - Honolulu Henry J. Kaiser High School - Honolulu Kalani High School - Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School - Anchorage Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Anchorage Waldorf School - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage | Le Jardin Academy - Kailua Hanalani Schools - Mililani Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top Alaska to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.