Hawaii to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs spanish, mediterranean), 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 Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
- Florida housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Florida is 24.13% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Hawaii to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Florida
- High cost of living
- Isolation from mainland
- Limited job market
- Fewer entertainment options
- Extensive travel times
- More affordable housing
- Easier mainland access
- Growing job opportunities
- Vibrant nightlife
- Shorter domestic flights
- More urban development
- Humid summers
- Less environmental diversity
- Cultural adjustment
- More chain restaurants
- Beautiful natural scenery
- Perfect weather year-round
- Diverse ecosystems
- Rich cultural heritage
- Unique local cuisine
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Florida
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from isolation from the mainland and moving to Florida with easier mainland access
- Swap the limited job market of Hawaii for growing job opportunities in Florida
- Get ready for vibrant nightlife in Florida
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful natural scenery in Hawaii to live with more urban development in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of perfect weather year-round and have to settle for the con of humid summers
- Time to bid farewell to diverse ecosystems and get used to less environmental diversity in Florida
- Swap the rich cultural heritage for cultural adjustment
Hawaii vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Key Lime Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Empanadas |
Most popular vegan food | Taro | Black Bean Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Hawaii to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Honolulu Grill, and Leonard's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Versailles Restaurant, Joe's Stone Crab, and Bern's Steak House.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Florida
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Spanish, Mediterranean |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Lanais | Waterfront, Pools |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views and lanais, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like waterfronts and pools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Florida is similarly bike-friendly to Hawaii.
- Florida has an equally urban feel as Hawaii.
- Florida housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Florida is 24.13% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Florida
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 70°F | 90°F / 75°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 78°F / 63°F | 70°F / 48°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7" | 54.5" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 0" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Florida. Florida gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Florida has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Florida.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Florida are 15 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Florida. Florida receives 9.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Florida
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 7.05% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Government, Defense | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Prosperous | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Concerning |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 25% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Florida is 41% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Florida is growing compared to the prosperous affluence in Hawaii
- The poverty level is concerning in Florida compared to the moderate level in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Florida
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Mixed/Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Strong support for environment & cultural preservation | Focus on economy and growth, diverse views |
Religion | Mixed, with notable Asian influences | Primarily Christian, with a broad range of denominations |
- Hawaii tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as Mixed/Lean Conservative
- Florida's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a broad range of denominations
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with notable Asian influences
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Florida
Comparison | Hawaii | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University University of Hawaii at Hilo | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary (Pearl City) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) Mililani Mauka Elementary (Mililani) | Pine View School (Osprey) Somerset Academy Miramar (Miramar) Doral Academy of Technology (Doral) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Waimea) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) Pine View School (Osprey) Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Stanton College Preparatory (Jacksonville) Pine View School (Osprey) Suncoast Community High School (Riviera Beach) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Mid-Pacific Institute (Honolulu) | Bolles School (Jacksonville) American Heritage School (Plantation) Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls (Honolulu) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Waimea) | Pine View School (Osprey) American Heritage School (Plantation) North Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District |
Top Hawaii to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Florida