Delaware to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Delaware to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs year-round sunshine), food & health (like Scrapple vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 122% more expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Hawaii is 58.43% more expensive than in Delaware
- Our top recommended Delaware to Hawaii movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Delaware to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscapes
- Traffic congestion
- Limited adventure spots
- Year-round sunshine
- Scenic beaches
- Island tranquility
- Outdoor activities
- Higher living expenses
- Remote location
- Island isolation
- Competitive housing market
- Lower cost of living
- Proximity to major cities
- Less travel time
- Stable housing market
Pros of moving from Delaware to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to year-round sunshine
- Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Hawaii with scenic beaches
- Swap the traffic congestion of Delaware for island tranquility in Hawaii
- Get ready for outdoor activities in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Delaware to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Delaware to live with higher living expenses in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to major cities and have to settle for the con of a remote location
- Time to bid farewell to less travel time and get used to island isolation in Hawaii
- Swap a stable housing market for a competitive housing market
Delaware vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Italian Ice | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | 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 Delaware to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken and sumptuous Italian Ice, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Sandwich 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 Delaware eateries like Deer Park Tavern, Harry's Savoy Grill, and Woodside Farm Creamery. 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 BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Hawaii
Comparison | Delaware | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, backyard | Ocean view, lanai |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and backyards, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and lanais.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Hawaii housing costs are 122% more expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Hawaii is 58.43% more expensive than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Hawaii
Comparison | Delaware | 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, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Good to Moderate) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F / 66Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 28Β°F | 80Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 63.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.2" | 0" (Most Areas) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 40% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 2 degrees warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 35 degrees warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 18.7 more inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Hawaii
Comparison | Delaware | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 6.6 | 11 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56 | 0.28 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0 | 4.5 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Agriculture, Healthcare | 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 13% more than those in Delaware
- The COLI in Hawaii is 62% higher than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in Hawaii is 11 compared to 6.6 in Delaware
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low poverty in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Delaware and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Delaware | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate with liberal leanings in urban areas | Liberal, with strong support for environmental and cultural preservation |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Varied, significant Buddhist and Shinto practices alongside Christianity |
- Delaware 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 varied, with significant Buddhist and Shinto practices alongside Christianity
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Hawaii
Comparison | Delaware | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Linden Hill Elementary - Wilmington Charter School of Wilmington North Star Elementary - Hockessin | Maunawili Elementary - Kailua Momilani Elementary - Pearl City Noelani Elementary - Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | H.B. DuPont Middle - Hockessin Alfred G. Waters Middle - Middletown Sussex Academy - Georgetown | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu |
Top 3 High School Schools | Charter School of Wilmington - Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts - Wilmington Sussex Academy - Georgetown | Iolani School - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu Moanalua High School - Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School - Wilmington St. Andrew's School - Middletown Sanford School - Hockessin | Iolani School - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus - Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School - Wilmington Sanford School - Hockessin St. Andrew's School - Middletown | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus - Honolulu Le Jardin Academy - Kailua |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Cape Henlopen School District Caesar Rodney School District | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top Delaware to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Best moving company overall for Delaware to Hawaii