Hawaii to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (plantation, asian influences vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Lau Lau, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Alabama is 49.73% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Hawaii to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Alabama
- High cost of living
- Limited career opportunities
- Island isolation
- Higher taxes
- Lower cost of living
- Diverse job market
- More travel options
- Lower taxes
- No ocean coastline
- Seasonal weather changes
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Beautiful beaches
- Warm climate
- Unique cultural heritage
- Outdoor activities year-round
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Alabama
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from limited career opportunities and moving to Alabama with a diverse job market
- Swap the island isolation of Hawaii for more travel options in Alabama
- Get ready for lower taxes in Alabama
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with no ocean coastline in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of the warm climate and have to settle with the con of seasonal weather changes
- Time to bid farewell to the unique cultural heritage and get used to less cultural diversity in Alabama
- Swap outdoor activities year-round for fewer outdoor activities
Hawaii vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Lau Lau | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowl | Collard Greens |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Hawaii to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Lau Lau and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Leonard's Bakery, and Mama's Fish House. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw's BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Post Office Pies.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Alabama
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Asian influences | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, lanai | Large yards, historical charm |
- The Plantation and Asian influences architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanai, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historical charm.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Alabama housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Alabama is 49.73% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Alabama
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Volcanoes, Tsunamis | Tornadoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85/70 | 91/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 78/63 | 57/36 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7 | 58 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 1 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Alabama. Alabama gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 6 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 27 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Alabama. Alabama receives 5.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Alabama
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.4% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 9.24% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Education | Manufacturing, Aerospace, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate-high |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 35% less than those in Hawaii
- The COLI in Alabama will be 45% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in AL is 5% compared to 4.4% in HI
- The affluence in Alabama is low compared to moderate affluence in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate-high in Alabama compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Alabama
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Traditionally conservative |
Religion | Varied; large Buddhist & Christian communities | Primarily Christian, with a strong Evangelical presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Evangelical presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with large Buddhist and Christian communities
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Alabama
Comparison | Hawaii | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu; Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu; Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu | University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Auburn University Auburn; University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School Pearl City; Maemae Elementary School Honolulu; Noelani Elementary School Honolulu | Mountain Brook Elementary Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills Elementary West Vestavia Hills; Madison Elementary School Madison |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Mountain Brook Junior High Mountain Brook; Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia Hills; Simmons Middle School Hoover |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Hawaii Preparatory Academy Kamuela | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School Mountain Brook; Bob Jones High School Madison |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Hawaii Preparatory Academy Kamuela | The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | Indian Springs School Indian Springs; The Altamont School Birmingham; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) | Mountain Brook City Schools Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills City Schools Vestavia Hills; Madison City Schools Madison |
Top Hawaii to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.