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Colorado to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Colorado to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs year-round warmth), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch, mountain modern vs plantation style, modern tropical), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
  • Hawaii housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Colorado
  • Rent in Hawaii is 44.70% more expensive than in Colorado
  • Our top recommended Colorado to Hawaii movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Colorado to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Hawaii

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • Cold winters
  • High altitude effects
  • Limited beach access
  • Dry climate
  • Mountain hazards
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Year-round warmth
  • Sea-level living
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Tropical climate
  • Island adventures

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Isolation from mainland
  • Limited job market
  • Humidity
  • Limited nightlife
Colorado iconColorado
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Scenic drives
  • Diverse culture
  • Four seasons
  • Craft beer scene

Pros of moving from Colorado to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to year-round warmth
  • Look forward to moving away from high altitude effects and moving to Hawaii with sea-level living
  • Swap the limited beach access of Colorado for beautiful beaches in Hawaii
  • Get ready for a tropical climate in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Colorado to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from outdoor recreation in Colorado to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of scenic drives and have to settle for the con of isolation from the mainland
  • Time to bid farewell to a diverse culture and get used to a limited job market in Hawaii
  • Swap four seasons for humidity

Colorado vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersPoke
Most popular meat dishBison BurgersKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemGreen ChiliSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladsTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Duke's Waikiki
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Colorado to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Green Chili, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salads they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Dishes of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo's Pizza, and Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. 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, Leonard's Bakery, and Duke's Waikiki.

When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Hawaii

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, Mountain ModernPlantation Style, Modern Tropical
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingMountain Views, Outdoor SpacesOcean Views, Proximity to Beaches
  • The Ranch and Mountain Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Plantation Style and Modern Tropical architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor spaces, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to beaches.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Hawaii is less walkable than Colorado.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Hawaii is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Colorado.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 44.70% more expensive than in Colorado.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Hawaii

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, WildfiresVolcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80-90Β°F / 50-60Β°F85-90Β°F / 70-75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40-50Β°F / 10-20Β°F78-82Β°F / 63-68Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15-2020-100+, varies by location
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60-100+0, except for mountain peaks
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Colorado to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 11% more sunshine days than Colorado.
  • Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Colorado.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and wildfires in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and hurricanes in Hawaii.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 5 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
  • The average winter lows are 53 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Hawaii

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Avg. Household Income$89,302$92,458
Cost of Living Index98.3165.7
State Income Tax4.55%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax0.49%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax2.90%4.00%
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Agriculture, TourismTourism, Agriculture, Military
AffluenceComfortableMixed
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessVisibleSignificant
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 4% more than in Colorado
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 69% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
  • The state income tax in HI is 1.4% to 11% compared to 4.55% in CO
  • The affluence in Hawaii is mixed compared to comfortable in Colorado
  • The poverty level is higher in Hawaii compared to moderate in Colorado
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Colorado and significant in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Hawaii

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Political Make-upSwing state with a recent lean towards DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsEmphasis on environmental and gun control issuesFocus on indigenous rights and sustainability
ReligionMixed, with a significant number of non-religious peopleDiverse, strong Asian influence in religious practices
  • Colorado tends to lean swing state with a recent lean towards Democratic in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse with a strong Asian influence in religious practices
  • Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a significant number of non-religious people

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Hawaii

ComparisonColoradoHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBromwell Elementary - Denver
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School - Parker
Steele Elementary - Denver
Punahou School - Honolulu
β€˜Iolani School - Honolulu
Maui Preparatory Academy - Napili
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDSST: Stapleton Middle School - Denver
Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School - Fort Collins
Lesher Middle School - Fort Collins
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
β€˜Iolani School - Honolulu
Top 3 High SchoolsCherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village
DSST: Stapleton High School - Denver
Peak to Peak Charter School - Lafayette
Punahou School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus - Honolulu
β€˜Iolani School - Honolulu
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs
Kent Denver School - Englewood
Colorado Academy - Denver
β€˜Iolani School - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
Hawaiβ€˜i Preparatory Academy - Kamuela
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsColorado Academy - Denver
Vail Mountain School - Vail
Denver Christian School - Lakewood
Punahou School - Honolulu
β€˜Iolani School - Honolulu
Le Jardin Academy - Kailua
Top 3 School DistrictsCherry Creek School District
Boulder Valley School District
Lewis-Palmer School District
Hawaii Department of Education (statewide)

Top Colorado to Hawaii Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Colorado to Hawaii

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Denver Door to Door Movers LLC featured image

Denver Door to Door Movers LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

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