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Hawaii to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs BBQ Ribs), 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 BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
  • Kansas housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
  • Rent in Kansas is 62.58% more affordable than in Hawaii
  • Our top recommended Hawaii to Kansas movers is American Movers

Hawaii to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Kansas

ConsHawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Limited space
  • Isolation from mainland
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hurricane threats
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • More affordable housing
  • More open land
  • Central location
  • Less traffic
  • Fewer natural disasters

Kansas iconKansas
  • Cold winters
  • No ocean access
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Limited seafood options
  • Limited winter activities
Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Tropical climate
  • Stunning beaches
  • Diverse culture
  • Fresh local seafood
  • Outdoor activities year-round

Pros of moving from Hawaii to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from limited space and moving to Kansas with more open land
  • Swap the isolation from the mainland of Hawaii for a central location in Kansas
  • Get ready for less traffic in Kansas

Cons of moving from Hawaii to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the tropical climate in Hawaii to live with cold winters in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of stunning beaches and have to settle for the con of no ocean access
  • Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Kansas
  • Swap fresh local seafood for limited seafood options

Hawaii vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Most iconic local food itemPokeBBQ Ribs
Most popular meat dishKalua PigSmoked Brisket
Most popular street food itemSpam MusubiBBQ Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodPoiSeitan BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Slap's BBQ
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Hawaii to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Poi they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ of Kansas. 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 Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Q39, and Slap's BBQ.

When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Kansas

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Typical Architecture StylePlantation, ModernPrairie, Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOcean view, lanaiSpacious backyard, storm shelter
  • The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and storm shelters.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Hawaii.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Kansas is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
  • Kansas has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
  • Kansas housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
  • Rent in Kansas is 62.58% more affordable than in Hawaii.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Kansas

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersVolcanoes, TsunamisTornadoes, Severe Storms
Air QualityGoodVaries; generally moderate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85/7091/69
Average Winter High/Low (°F)78/6344/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)63.7"28.9"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"19"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Kansas. Kansas gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
  • Kansas 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 tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 6 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
  • The average winter lows in Kansas are 43 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 34.8 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Kansas

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Avg. Household Income$92,458$68,925
Cost of Living Index165.791.8
State Income Tax1.4 - 11.03.1 - 5.7
Avg. Property Tax0.281.41
Avg. Sales Tax4.06.5
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Defense, AgricultureAgriculture, Manufacturing, Mining
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 25% less than those in Hawaii
  • The COLI in Kansas is 45% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
  • The state income tax in Kansas is 3.1 to 5.7 compared to 1.4 to 11.0 in Hawaii
  • The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
  • The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to moderate in Hawaii
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Kansas

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsLiberal, with a focus on environmental and native rights.Conservative, agrarian-focused with strong support for small businesses.
ReligionA mix, with a strong presence of Buddhism and Christianity.Primarily Christian, with a range of denominations.
  • Hawaii tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
  • Kansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a range of denominations
  • Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix, with a strong presence of Buddhism and Christianity

Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Kansas

ComparisonHawaiiKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsManoa Elementary - Honolulu
Noelani Elementary - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
Briarwood Elementary - Overland Park
Corinth Elementary - Leawood
Blue Valley North High - Overland Park
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIolani School - Honolulu
Punahou School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu
Leawood Middle - Leawood
Indian Hills Middle - Overland Park
Lakewood Middle - Overland Park
Top 3 High SchoolsPunahou School - Honolulu
Iolani School - Honolulu
Moanalua High School - Honolulu
Blue Valley North High - Overland Park
Blue Valley West High - Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High - Prairie Village
Top 3 Private High SchoolsPunahou School - Honolulu
Iolani School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu
Bishop Miege High School - Roeland Park
St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Overland Park
The Independent School - Wichita
Top 3 Private K-12 SchoolsPunahou School - Honolulu
Iolani School - Honolulu
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu
The Independent School - Wichita
Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita
Cair Paravel Latin School - Topeka
Top 3 School DistrictsHawaii Department of Education - StatewideBlue Valley School District - Overland Park
Shawnee Mission School District - Shawnee
Olathe District Schools - Olathe

Top Hawaii to Kansas Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
American Movers featured image

American Movers

Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Kansas

9.03/10
RUNNER-UP
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

8.53/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very GoodView details