HI to IA Moving Specialists

Hawaii to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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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.

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Iowa

9.54/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very Good

Hawaii to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Iowa

ConsHawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Isolated location
  • Limited land
  • Frequent tourist traffic
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Affordable housing
  • Easy U.S. access
  • Ample farmland
  • Quieter lifestyle

Iowa iconIowa
  • Landlocked state
  • Harsh winters
  • Less cultural variety
  • Flat terrain
Hawaii iconHawaii
  • 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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
Most iconic local food itemPokeCorn on the Cob
Most popular meat dishKalua PigPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular street food itemShave IceWalking Tacos
Most popular vegan foodAcai BowlVegetarian Chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Alan Wong's
  • Roy's Hawaii
  • The Iowa Stater
  • Jethro's BBQ
  • The Ronneburg Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
Typical Architecture StylePlantation, ModernPrairie, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOcean view, lanaiSpacious 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 Hawaii’s $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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, TsunamisTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/70Β°F85Β°F/63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)78Β°F/63Β°F31Β°F/14Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)63.7034.00
Annual Snowfall (Inches)036
  • 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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
Avg. Household Income$92,458$69,588
Cost of Living Index165.795.9
State Income Tax1.4% - 11%0.33% - 8.53%
Avg. Property Tax0.28%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax4.44%6.94%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Military, AgricultureManufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow
  • 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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticSwing State, leans Conservative/Republican in recent years
Local PoliticsHigh engagement in climate and indigenous rights issuesMixed engagement, with strong focus on agricultural and educational issues
ReligionMixed; significant Buddhist and Christian communitiesPrimarily 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

ComparisonHawaiiIowa
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 SchoolsMaemae 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 SchoolsIolani 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 SchoolsIolani 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 schoolsIolani 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 schoolsIolani 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 DistrictsHonolulu 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
Top Hawaii to Iowa Routes

Honolulu to Iowa