Hawaii to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs traditional, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Spam Musubi, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 76% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Arkansas is 55.12% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Hawaii to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Remote island access
- Limited housing options
- Expensive groceries
- Tourist congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Central mainland access
- Affordable housing
- Cheaper groceries
- Less crowded
- Limited ocean access
- Cooler winter weather
- Less cultural diversity
- Different scenery
- Fewer beach activities
- Stunning beaches
- Warm tropical climate
- Rich diverse culture
- Lush landscapes
- Outdoor adventures
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from remote island access and moving to Arkansas with central mainland access
- Swap the limited housing options of Hawaii for affordable housing in Arkansas
- Get ready for cheaper groceries in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the stunning beaches in Hawaii to live with limited ocean access in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm tropical climate and have to settle for the con of cooler winter weather
- Time to bid farewell to the rich diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Arkansas
- Swap lush landscapes for different scenery
Hawaii vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Spam Musubi | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Poi | Black Bean Burger |
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 Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Spam Musubi and sumptuous Shave Ice, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Poi they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Rainbow Drive-In, and Alan Wong's. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Whole Hog Café, and Sims Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Arkansas
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Traditional, Craftsman |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Lanai | Land, Porches |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views and lanai, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like land and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Arkansas is similarly bike-friendly to Hawaii.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Arkansas housing costs are 76% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Arkansas is 55.12% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Arkansas
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 70°F | 93°F / 73°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 78°F / 63°F | 51°F / 32°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7 | 50.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 5 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii and be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 8 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Arkansas are 31 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 13.1 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Arkansas
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.4% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.27% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 40% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Arkansas is 45% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 5.9% compared to 4.4% in Hawaii
- The affluence in Arkansas is low compared to moderate affluence in Hawaii
- The poverty level is high in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratically Leaned | Republican Leaned |
Local Politics | Liberal policies | Conservative policies |
Religion | A diverse mix, Buddhism significant | Predominantly Christian, Evangelical |
- Hawaii tends to lean democratically in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and Evangelical
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse mix, with significant Buddhism
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Arkansas
Comparison | Hawaii | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mililani Mauka Elementary Mililani; Maemae Elementary School Honolulu; Noelani Elementary School Honolulu | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary School Fayetteville; Forest Park Elementary Little Rock |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Waikele Elementary School Waipahu; Kaimuki Middle School Honolulu; Iolani School Honolulu | Lisa Academy North Middle High School Sherwood; Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; McNair Middle School Fayetteville |
Top 3 High School Schools | President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu; Henry J. Kaiser High School Honolulu; Moanalua High School Honolulu | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville High School Bentonville; Fayetteville High School Fayetteville |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School Springdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | Subiaco Academy Subiaco; Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock; The New School Fayetteville |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Bentonville School District; Fayetteville School District; Rogers School District |
Top Hawaii to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.