Hawaii to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (plantation and modern vs spanish colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Loco Moco, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Arizona is 34.74% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Hawaii to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Arizona
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- Island isolation
- Expensive housing
- Long travel distances
- Lower cost of living
- Diverse job opportunities
- Connected transportation
- Affordable housing
- Central location
- Lacks coastal access
- Hot summers
- Cultural adaptation
- Desert environment
- Urban sprawl
- Beautiful beaches
- Mild climate
- Diverse culture
- Lush landscapes
- Community vibe
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Arizona
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from the limited job market and moving to Arizona with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the island isolation of Hawaii for connected transportation in Arizona
- Get ready for affordable housing in Arizona
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with the lack of coastal access in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of the mild climate and have to settle with the con of hot summers
- Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to cultural adaptation in Arizona
- Swap lush landscapes for a desert environment
Hawaii vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Loco Moco | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Poi | Vegetable Tamales |
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 Hawaii to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Loco Moco and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Sonoran Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Poi they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Tamales of Arizona. 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 Duke's Waikiki. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like El Charro CafΓ©, Pizzeria Bianco, and Mattβs Big Breakfast.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Arizona
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation and Modern | Spanish Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean Views, Lanais | Desert Landscaping, Solar Panels |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like desert landscaping and solar panels.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Arizona housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Arizona is 34.74% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Arizona
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Volcanic Eruptions | Wildfires, Flash Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Urban vs Rural) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 105Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 68Β°F / 45Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63" | 13" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" (except mountain tops) | 0"-100" (Varies greatly by elevation) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Hawaii to Arizona. Arizona gets 8% more sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flash floods in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 20 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Arizona are 18 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 50 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Arizona
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 2.55% - 2.98% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 5.6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Real Estate, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Significant | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 19% less than those in Hawaii
- The COLI in Arizona is 39% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.55% to 2.98% compared to 1.4% to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is high in Arizona compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Hawaii and noticeable in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Arizona
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal | Moderate to Conservative |
Religion | Christianity, Buddhism | Christianity |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as Christianity
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity and Buddhism
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Arizona
Comparison | Hawaii | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) | Basis Scottsdale Primary - East Campus (Scottsdale) Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy Veritas (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hanalani Schools (Mililani) Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei) | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler) Northland Preparatory Academy (Flagstaff) |
Top 3 School Districts | Honolulu School District Central Oahu School District Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
Top Hawaii to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Arizona