Arizona to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Arizona to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme heat vs temperate climate), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Poke), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo vs plantation, modern tropical), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 99% more expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Hawaii is 53.23% more expensive than in Arizona
- Our top recommended Arizona to Hawaii movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Hawaii
- Extreme heat
- Limited coastline
- Dry landscapes
- Few rainforests
- Cactus-heavy vegetation
- Temperate climate
- Abundant beaches
- Lush, tropical scenery
- Dense rainforests
- Diverse flora
- Higher cost of living
- Limited land space
- High humidity levels
- Isolated islands
- Often rainy
- Lower cost of living
- Wide open spaces
- Diverse deserts
- Desert wildlife
- Abundant sunshine
Pros of moving from Arizona to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to extreme heat and hello to a temperate climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited coastline and moving to Hawaii with abundant beaches
- Swap the dry landscapes of Arizona for lush, tropical scenery in Hawaii
- Get ready for dense rainforests in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Arizona to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Arizona to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of wide open spaces and have to settle for the con of limited land space
- Time to bid farewell to diverse deserts and get used to high humidity levels in Hawaii
- Swap desert wildlife for isolated islands
Arizona vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Sonoran Hot Dog | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Tamales | Tofu Poke |
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 Arizona to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Sonoran Hot Dog, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Tamales they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Poke of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzicletta, Bianco, and El Charro CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Helenaβs Hawaiian Food, Leonardβs Bakery, and Matsumoto Shave Ice.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Hawaii
Comparison | Arizona | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo | Plantation, Modern Tropical |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Desert landscaping, energy efficiency | Ocean views, outdoor living space |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern Tropical architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference desert landscaping and energy efficiency, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living space.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Hawaii is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Hawaii is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Hawaii housing costs are 99% more expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Hawaii is 53.23% more expensive than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Hawaii
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Dust Storms, Wildfires | Volcanic Activity, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Varies by area, often moderate | Generally good, volcanic areas as exception |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/81Β°F | 88Β°F/75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F/46Β°F | 80Β°F/65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 0 (except mountain tops) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible dust storms and wildfires in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic activity and hurricanes in Hawaii.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 16 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 50 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Hawaii
Comparison | Arizona | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 4.5% | 8.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.6% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Real Estate, Tourism | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 24% more than in Arizona
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 64% higher than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in HI is 8.25% compared to 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Arizona | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican, but recent elections have shown a shift towards a more purple, or battleground, state. | Strongly leans Democratic, with a long history of Democratic dominance in local and state elections. |
Local Politics | Mixed, with conservative policies in rural areas and more liberal policies in urban centers like Phoenix and Tucson. | Mostly liberal across the state, notable for progressive policies and initiatives particularly in the areas of environmental conservation and indigenous rights. |
Religion | Christianity is the dominant religion, but with a sizable non-religious population. Notable communities include the Mormon Church in the northern regions. | Diverse religious landscape including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spirituality reflecting its multicultural population. |
- Arizona tends to lean traditionally Republican, but recent elections have shown a shift towards a more purple or battleground state in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic with a long history of Democratic dominance in local and state elections
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spirituality reflecting its multicultural population
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity is the dominant religion, but with a sizable non-religious population. Notable communities include the Mormon Church in the northern regions
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Hawaii
Comparison | Arizona | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence (Gilbert) BASIS Chandler (Chandler) Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) BASIS Chandler (Chandler) Paragon Science Academy (Chandler) | Washington Middle School (Honolulu) Niu Valley Middle School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) BASIS Chandler (Chandler) University High School (Tucson) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Roosevelt High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Prep Academy (Phoenix) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chandler Unified District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (state-run) - - |
Top Arizona to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Hawaii