Hawaii to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs prairie, craftsman), 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 Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 75% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Iowa is 63.15% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Top Hawaii to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Iowa

Adamantine Spine Moving

Ewa Moving Co.
Hawaii to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Iowa
- High cost of living
- Isolated location
- Limited land
- Frequent tourist traffic
- Affordable housing
- Easy U.S. access
- Ample farmland
- Quieter lifestyle
- Landlocked state
- Harsh winters
- Less cultural variety
- Flat terrain
- Beautiful beaches
- Year-round warm weather
- Rich cultural diversity
- Exotic landscapes
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Iowa
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from an isolated location and moving to Iowa with easy U.S. access
- Swap the limited land of Hawaii for ample farmland in Iowa
- Get ready for a quieter lifestyle in Iowa
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live in a landlocked state in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round warm weather and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural diversity and get used to less cultural variety in Iowa
- Swap exotic landscapes for flat terrain
Hawaii vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Walking Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowl | Vegetarian Chili |
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 Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Shave Ice, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Walking Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetarian Chili of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Alan Wong's, and Roy's Hawaii. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like The Iowa Stater, Jethro's BBQ, and The Ronneburg Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Iowa
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, lanai | Spacious yards, basements |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and basements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Iowa housing costs are 75% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Iowa is 63.15% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Iowa
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
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, Tsunamis | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/70Β°F | 85Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F/63Β°F | 31Β°F/14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.70 | 34.00 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 36 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Iowa. Iowa gets 27% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Iowa has higher 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 tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is the same as Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 49 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 29.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Iowa
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 0.33% - 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 25% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Iowa will be 42% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in IA is 0.33% - 8.53% compared to 1.4% - 11% in HI
- The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Hawaii
- The poverty level is low in Iowa compared to moderate poverty in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Iowa
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Swing State, leans Conservative/Republican in recent years |
Local Politics | High engagement in climate and indigenous rights issues | Mixed engagement, with strong focus on agricultural and educational issues |
Religion | Mixed; significant Buddhist and Christian communities | Primarily Christian, with a variety of denominations |
- Hawaii tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans Conservative/Republican in recent years
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a variety of denominations
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with significant Buddhist and Christian communities
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Iowa
Comparison | Hawaii | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani) Aina Haina Elementary School (Honolulu) | Wickham Elementary School (Coralville) Lincoln Elementary (Pella) Brookview Elementary School (West Des Moines) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Ames Middle School (Ames) North Central Junior High (North Liberty) Northwest Junior High (Coralville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Roosevelt High School (Des Moines) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Maharishi School (Fairfield) Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf) |
Top 3 School Districts | Honolulu School District Central Oahu School District Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Ames Community School District Iowa City Community School District West Des Moines Community Schools |