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Hawaii to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs ranch, mountain modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pig, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Steak
  • Colorado housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
  • Rent in Colorado is 30.89% more affordable than in Hawaii
  • Our top recommended Hawaii to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Hawaii to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Colorado

ConsHawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Limited job market
  • Isolation from mainland
  • Vulnerable to hurricanes
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Affordable housing
  • More job opportunities
  • Proximity to major U.S. cities
  • Four distinct seasons

Colorado iconColorado
  • Cold winters
  • No beaches
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Faster-paced living
Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Tropical climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Rich island culture
  • Laid-back lifestyle

Pros of moving from Hawaii to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from the limited job market and moving to Colorado with more job opportunities
  • Swap the isolation from the mainland of Hawaii for proximity to major U.S. cities in Colorado
  • Get ready for four distinct seasons in Colorado

Cons of moving from Hawaii to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the tropical climate in Hawaii to live with the cold winters in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful beaches and have to settle for the con of no beaches
  • Time to bid farewell to the rich island culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Colorado
  • Swap the laid-back lifestyle for faster-paced living

Hawaii vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Most iconic local food itemPokeRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishKalua PigBison Steak
Most popular street food itemSpam MusubiBreakfast Burrito
Most popular vegan foodLaulau (Vegan Version)Quinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Highway Inn
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beau Jo's Pizza
  • Snooze an A.M. Eatery
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Hawaii to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Laulau (Vegan Version) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Colorado. 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 Highway Inn. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo's Pizza, and Snooze an A.M. Eatery.

When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Colorado

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Typical Architecture StylePlantation, ModernRanch, Mountain Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingViews, LanaiViews, Garage
  • The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Mountain Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views and lanai, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like views and garages.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Colorado is less walkable than Hawaii.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Colorado is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
  • Colorado has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
  • Colorado housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
  • Rent in Colorado is 30.89% more affordable than in Hawaii.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Colorado

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersHurricanes, TsunamisWildfires, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 70°F86°F / 54°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)78°F / 63°F45°F / 17°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)6317
Annual Snowfall (Inches)060
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Hawaii to Colorado. Colorado gets 8% more sunshine days than Hawaii.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and blizzards in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 1 degree warmer than in Hawaii.
  • The average winter lows are 46 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 46 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Colorado

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Avg. Household Income$92,458$89,302
Cost of Living Index165.798.3
State Income Tax1.4% - 11%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.28%0.49%
Avg. Sales Tax4.44%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Real Estate, DefenseAerospace, Tech, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertySignificantModerate
HomelessnessHighModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 3% less than those in Hawaii
  • The COLI in Colorado is 41% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
  • The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 1.4% to 11% in HI
  • The affluence in Colorado is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Hawaii
  • The poverty level is moderate in Colorado compared to significant poverty in Hawaii
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Colorado

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticMixed, with Liberal Urban Centers
Local PoliticsStrong emphasis on environmental and indigenous rightsStrong focus on environmental issues, with an increasing emphasis on social rights
ReligionDiverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spiritualityPrimarily Christian, with a growing number of non-religious residents
  • Hawaii tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with Liberal Urban Centers
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a growing number of non-religious residents
  • Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spirituality

Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Colorado

ComparisonHawaiiColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMomilani Elementary (Pearl City)
Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu)
Noelani Elementary (Honolulu)
Paddington Station (Denver)
Cory Elementary (Denver)
Slavens K-8 School (Denver)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIolani School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder)
DSST: Stapleton Middle School (Denver)
Top 3 High SchoolsIolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village)
Fairview High School (Boulder)
Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
Top 3 private high schoolsIolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Mid-Pacific Institute (Honolulu)
Colorado Academy (Denver)
Kent Denver School (Englewood)
Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLe Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela)
Parker School (Kamuela)
Colorado Academy (Denver)
St. Mary's Academy (Englewood)
Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs)
Top 3 School DistrictsHawaii Department of Education (Statewide)Cherry Creek School District (Greenwood Village)
Boulder Valley School District (Boulder)
Denver Public Schools (Denver)

Top Hawaii to Colorado Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Colorado

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very GoodView details