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Delaware to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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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

ConsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited adventure spots
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Year-round sunshine
  • Scenic beaches
  • Island tranquility
  • Outdoor activities

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher living expenses
  • Remote location
  • Island isolation
  • Competitive housing market
Delaware iconDelaware
  • 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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
Most iconic local food itemScrapplePoke
Most popular meat dishChickenKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemItalian IceSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodMushroom SandwichTofu Poke
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Deer Park Tavern
  • Harry's Savoy Grill
  • Woodside Farm Creamery
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ
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 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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPlantation, Modern
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 listingHardwood floors, backyardOcean 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 Delaware’s $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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
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 DisastersSnowstorms, HurricanesVolcanoes, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVaries (Good to Moderate)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86Β°F / 66Β°F88Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 28Β°F80Β°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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
Avg. Household Income$82,174$92,458
Cost of Living Index102.45165.7
State Income Tax6.611
Avg. Property Tax0.560.28
Avg. Sales Tax04.5
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Agriculture, HealthcareTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • 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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
Political Make-upLean DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsModerate with liberal leanings in urban areasLiberal, with strong support for environmental and cultural preservation
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesVaried, 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

ComparisonDelawareHawaii
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 SchoolsLinden Hill Elementary - Wilmington
Charter School of Wilmington
North Star Elementary - Hockessin
Maunawili Elementary - Kailua
Momilani Elementary - Pearl City
Noelani Elementary - Honolulu
Top 3 Middle SchoolsH.B. DuPont Middle - Hockessin
Alfred G. Waters Middle - Middletown
Sussex Academy - Georgetown
Iolani School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
Top 3 High School SchoolsCharter 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 schoolsTower Hill School - Wilmington
St. Andrew's School - Middletown
Sanford School - Hockessin
Iolani School - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus - Honolulu
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsTower Hill School - Wilmington
Sanford School - Hockessin
St. Andrew's School - Middletown
Iolani School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus - Honolulu
Le Jardin Academy - Kailua
Top 3 School DistrictsAppoquinimink 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.

TOP PICK
SSW Moving & Junk Removal featured image

SSW Moving & Junk Removal

Best moving company overall for Delaware to Hawaii

9.08/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Keep It - Moving & Labor

Keep It - Moving & Labor

8.99/10
ALSO GREAT
Movendi Moving

Movendi Moving

8.73/10
Top Delaware to Hawaii Routes

Wilmington to Hawaii