Connecticut to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Connecticut to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs year-round warmth), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial vs plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Hamburger, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 118% more expensive than they are in Connecticut
- Rent in Hawaii is 47.05% more expensive than in Connecticut
- Our top recommended Connecticut to Hawaii movers is Smooth Move & Delivery
Connecticut to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Limited beach access
- Dense urban areas
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Year-round warmth
- Lower property taxes
- Pristine beaches
- Spacious landscapes
- Relaxed atmosphere
- No distinct seasons
- Isolated location
- Limited historic sites
- Active volcanoes
- Cultural adjustment
- Fall foliage
- Proximity to museums
- Historic charm
- Low wildlife risks
- Familiar community
Pros of moving from Connecticut to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to year-round warmth
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Hawaii with lower property taxes
- Swap the limited beach access of Connecticut for pristine beaches in Hawaii
- Get ready for spacious landscapes in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Connecticut to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from fall foliage in Connecticut to live with no distinct seasons in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to museums and have to settle for the con of an isolated location
- Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to limited historic sites in Hawaii
- Swap low wildlife risks for active volcanoes
Connecticut vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Connecticut | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Hamburger | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Stew | 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 Connecticut to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful Hamburger and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Stew 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 Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Clam Castle. 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 Mama's Fish House.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Connecticut. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Connecticut. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and Hawaii
Comparison | Connecticut | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Plantation |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic homes | Ocean views, outdoor living spaces |
- The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Plantation architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and historic homes, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Hawaii is more walkable than Connecticut.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Connecticut.
- Hawaii housing costs are 118% more expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Connecticutβs $393,802.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
- Rent in Hawaii is 47.05% more expensive than in Connecticut.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Connecticut and Hawaii
Comparison | Connecticut | 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, Hurricanes | Volcanoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 62Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 38Β°F / 20Β°F | 80Β°F / 65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 63" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37" | 0" (except mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Connecticut to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 34% more sunshine days than Connecticut.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Connecticut.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and hurricanes in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 5 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
- The average winter lows are 45 degrees warmer than they are in Connecticut.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 13 more inches of rain compared to Connecticut.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and Hawaii
Comparison | Connecticut | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.99% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing | Tourism, Agriculture, Defense |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 5% more than in Connecticut
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 36% higher than what you are used to living in Connecticut
- The state income tax in HI is 1.4% - 11% compared to 3% - 6.99% in CT
- The affluence in Hawaii is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
- The poverty level is high in Hawaii compared to moderate in Connecticut
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Connecticut | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Focus on education, healthcare | Emphasis on environmental policy, indigenous rights |
Religion | Christian (50%), Unaffiliated (36%) | Christian (63%), Buddhist & Shinto (10%) |
- Connecticut tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as Christian (63%), Buddhist and Shinto (10%)
- Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (50%) and Unaffiliated (36%)
Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to Hawaii
Comparison | Connecticut | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Connecticut Yale University Quinnipiac University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | West School New Canaan; North Mianus School Greenwich; International School at Dundee Greenwich | Hokulani Elementary School Honolulu; Manoa Elementary School Honolulu; Maemae Elementary School Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School Riverside; Bedford Middle School Westport; Central Middle School Greenwich | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu |
Top 3 High School Schools | Staples High School Westport; Greenwich High School Greenwich; Ridgefield High School Ridgefield | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Moanalua High School Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford; The Hotchkiss School Lakeville; The Loomis Chaffee School Windsor | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenwich Academy Greenwich; Hopkins School New Haven; King School Stamford | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Le Jardin Academy Kailua |
Top 3 School Districts | Westport School District; New Canaan School District; Greenwich School District | Hawaii Department of Education; Honolulu School District; Central Oahu District |
Top Connecticut to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Smooth Move & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to Hawaii