Hawaii to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Sugar Cream Pie), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs colonial, 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 Sugar Cream Pie & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Indiana housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Indiana is 53.98% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Indiana movers is MVM Moving & Storage
Hawaii to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Indiana
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- Remote location
- High shipping costs
- Affordable housing
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Easy continental access
- Lower shipping costs
- Cold winters
- No ocean access
- Less cultural diversity
- Flat terrains
- Year-round warm weather
- Beautiful beaches
- Rich cultural heritage
- Island lifestyle
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Indiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Indiana with diverse employment opportunities
- Swap the remote location of Hawaii for easy continental access in Indiana
- Get ready for lower shipping costs in Indiana
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from year-round warm weather in Hawaii to live with cold winters in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful beaches and have to settle for the con of no ocean access
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural heritage and get used to less cultural diversity in Indiana
- Swap the island lifestyle for flat terrains
Hawaii vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Corn Dogs |
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Sugar Cream Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Corn Dogs 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 Indiana. 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 Duke's Waikiki. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Indiana
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Spacious yard, Basement |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and basements.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Indiana is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Indiana is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Indiana has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Indiana housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Indiana is 53.98% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Indiana
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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, Volcanos | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/75 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78/63 | 35/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Indiana. Indiana gets 32% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Indiana has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and volcanoes in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is the same as Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Indiana are 45 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Indiana
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Notable | Average |
Homelessness | Severe | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 28% less than those in Hawaii
- The COLI in Indiana will be 44% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in Indiana is 3.23% compared to 1.4% to 11% in Hawaii
- The affluence in Indiana is average compared to moderate in Hawaii
- The poverty level is average in Indiana compared to notable in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is severe in Hawaii and low in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Indiana
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies, high voter turnout | Conservative policies, strong local governance |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Buddhist and Christian population | Primarily Christian, with a strong Evangelical presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Evangelical presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Buddhist and Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Indiana
Comparison | Hawaii | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu; Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu; University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo | Indiana University Bloomington; Purdue University West Lafayette; Ball State University Muncie |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary Pearl City; Mililani Mauka Elementary Mililani; Noelani Elementary Honolulu | Signature School Evansville; Herron High School Indianapolis; West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School West Lafayette |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Sidener Academy for High Ability Students Indianapolis; West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School West Lafayette; Fall Creek Intermediate School Fishers |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Signature School Evansville; Herron High School Indianapolis; West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School West Lafayette |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | University High School of Indiana Carmel; Culver Academies Culver; Park Tudor School Indianapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls Honolulu; Le Jardin Academy Kailua; Hawaii Preparatory Academy Kamuela | Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown; Heritage Christian School Indianapolis; Sycamore School Indianapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel; Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville; Hamilton Southeastern Schools Fishers |
Top Hawaii to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.