DC to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a interstate move from DC to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Poke), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs plantation and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce chicken wings, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pork
- Hawaii's housing costs are 39% more expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Hawaii is 22.21% more expensive than in DC
- Our top recommended DC to Hawaii movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Hawaii
- Heavy traffic
- Cold winters
- High stress
- Urban sprawl
- Less congestion
- Tropical climate
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Natural beauty
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer jobs
- Limited transit options
- Smaller population
- Rich history
- Job opportunities
- Public transport
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from DC to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Hawaii with a tropical climate
- Swap the high stress of DC for a relaxed lifestyle in Hawaii
- Get ready for natural beauty in Hawaii
Cons of moving from DC to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in DC to live with fewer historical sites in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of job opportunities and have to settle for the con of fewer jobs
- Time to bid farewell to public transport and get used to limited transit options in Hawaii
- Swap cultural diversity for a smaller population
DC vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-smoke | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo sauce chicken wings | Kalua Pork |
Most popular street food item | Jumbo slice pizza | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian chili | 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 DC to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce chicken wings and sumptuous Jumbo slice pizza, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pork and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian chili 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 DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Le Diplomate, and Zaytinya. 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 Ono Hawaiian Foods.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Hawaii
Comparison | DC | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Federal and Victorian | Plantation and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to metros, historic charm | Ocean view, outdoor living |
- The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metros and historic charm, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Hawaii is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Hawaii is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Hawaii has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Hawaii's housing costs are 39% more expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Hawaii is 22.21% more expensive than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Hawaii
Comparison | DC | 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 | Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Volcanic Eruptions |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 71Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 29Β°F | 80Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39.74" | 63.70" (varies significantly by location) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 13.8" | 0" (Snow only on high mountain peaks) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 33% more sunshine days than DC.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 1 degree warmer than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 34 degrees warmer than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 24.0 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Hawaii
Comparison | DC | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 4.0 - 8.95 | 1.4 - 11 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56 | 0.26 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0 | 4.5 |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Health | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 8% less than those in DC
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 18% higher than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in HI is 1.4 - 11 compared to 4.0 - 8.95 in DC
- The affluence in Hawaii is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is high in Hawaii compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in DC and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Hawaii
Comparison | DC | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Primarily Democratic |
Local Politics | Highly focused on national issues | Emphasis on local and environmental issues |
Religion | Multidenominational, with a significant Christian population | A diverse mix, majorly Christian but includes a significant Buddhist and non-religious minority |
- DC tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a diverse mix, majorly Christian but including a significant Buddhist and non-religious minority
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as multidenominational, with a significant Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Hawaii
Comparison | DC | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University University of Maryland | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mann Elementary Janney Elementary Eaton Elementary | Parker School (Waimea) Punahou School (Honolulu) Hanahauβoli School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | Wilson High School School Without Walls High School Banneker High School | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School St. Albans School Georgetown Day School | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School Maret School | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) |
Top 3 School Districts | District of Columbia Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education |
Top DC to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.