Hawaii to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living cost vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Poke vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs colonial, cape cod), 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 Scrapple & Chicken and Slippery Dumplings
- Delaware housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Delaware is 36.88% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Delaware movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Hawaii to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Delaware
- High living cost
- Limited job market
- Isolation
- Vog issues
- Lower living expenses
- Diverse job opportunities
- Accessibility to big cities
- Cleaner air
- No ocean coastline
- Cold winters
- Less cultural diversity
- Flat terrain
- Beautiful beaches
- Pleasant weather
- Rich culture
- Tropical landscapes
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Delaware
- Say goodbye to high living cost and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Delaware with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the isolation of Hawaii for accessibility to big cities in Delaware
- Get ready for cleaner air in Delaware
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with no ocean coastline in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of pleasant weather and have to settle for the con of cold winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Delaware
- Swap tropical landscapes for flat terrain
Hawaii vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Chicken and Slippery Dumplings |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Italian Sausage Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Taro-based dishes | Roasted Vegetable Board |
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 Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Delaware residents know they have tasty Chicken, Slippery Dumplings, and Italian Sausage Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Vegetable Board of Delaware. 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 Matsumoto Shave Ice. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Harry's Savoy Grill, Deer Park Tavern, and Sammy's Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware, compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Delaware
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Historic details, Proximity to beaches |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Delaware is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Delaware housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased 42% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Delaware is 36.88% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Delaware
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanoes, Tsunamis | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Varies, mostly Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 45Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7" | 45.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 20.2" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Delaware. Delaware gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Delaware 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 hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Delaware are 35 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Delaware
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 11% | 0 - 6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 11% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Delaware is 38% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in DE is 0 - 6.6% compared to 1.4 - 11% in HI
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is lower in Delaware compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Delaware
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | High engagement in environmental issues | High priority on education and healthcare |
Religion | Mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Hawaiian religions | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic community |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic community
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Hawaiian religions
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Delaware
Comparison | Hawaii | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School Pearl City; Maemae Elementary School Honolulu; Noelani Elementary School Honolulu | Cook (John M.) Elementary School Newark; Booker T. Washington Elementary School Dover; North Star Elementary School Hockessin |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Washington Middle School Honolulu; Kaimuki Middle School Honolulu; Ewa Makai Middle School Ewa Beach | H.B. DuPont Middle School Hockessin; Alfred G. Waters Middle School Middletown; Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington |
Top 3 High School Schools | Kalani High School Honolulu; Moanalua High School Honolulu; Mililani High School Mililani | Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington; Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School Newark; Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus Honolulu | Archmere Academy Claymont; Tower Hill School Wilmington; St. Andrew's School Middletown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy Kailua; Hanalani Schools Mililani; La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls Honolulu | Tower Hill School Wilmington; Tatnall School Wilmington; Sanford School Hockessin |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu; Kauai District Lihue; Maui District Wailuku | Brandywine School District Wilmington; Appoquinimink School District Middletown; Cape Henlopen School District Lewes |
Top Hawaii to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Delaware