Hawaii to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (plantation, modern, asian influences vs colonial, craftsman, ranch), 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 Fried Chicken & Burgoo
- Kentucky housing costs are 77% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Kentucky is 55.35% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Kentucky movers is From Here to There
Hawaii to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Expensive housing
- Lack of seasons
- Island isolation
- Lower cost of living
- Growing job market
- Affordable housing
- Four distinct seasons
- Continental connectivity
- No ocean access
- Harsh winters
- Fewer cultural experiences
- Less geographical variety
- Less fresh produce
- Beautiful beaches
- Mild climate
- Rich Polynesian culture
- Diverse landscapes
- Fresh tropical produce
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to a lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Kentucky with a growing job market
- Swap the expensive housing of Hawaii for affordable housing in Kentucky
- Get ready for four distinct seasons in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with no ocean access in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a mild climate and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to the rich Polynesian culture and get used to fewer cultural experiences in Kentucky
- Swap diverse landscapes for less geographical variety
Hawaii vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Burgoo |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Hot Brown |
Most popular vegan food | Poi | Kentucky Beer Cheese |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Shave Ice, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Brown to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Poi they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kentucky Beer Cheese of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Duke's Waikiki, and Leonard's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Pattiβs 1880βs Settlement, and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Kentucky
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern, Asian Influences | Colonial, Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Large yards, Porches |
- The Plantation, Modern and Asian Influences architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial, Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanai, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Kentucky housing costs are 77% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Kentucky is 55.35% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Kentucky
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/70Β°F | 87Β°F/66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F/63Β°F | 44Β°F/28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 inches | 45 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 inches | 22 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Kentucky 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 floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Kentucky are 35 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Kentucky
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | Up to 11% | Up to 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Real Estate | Automotive, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 36% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 47% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in KY is up to 5% compared to up to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic | Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive | Conservative |
Religion | Christianity, Buddhism | Christianity (Predominantly Protestant) |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as Christianity (predominantly Protestant)
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity and Buddhism
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Kentucky
Comparison | Hawaii | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu; Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu; Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu | University of Kentucky Lexington; University of Louisville Louisville; Western Kentucky University Bowling Green |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School Pearl City; Maemae Elementary School Honolulu; Noelani Elementary School Honolulu | Glendover Elementary School Lexington; Southside Elementary School Versailles; Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School Louisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | DuPont Manual High School Louisville; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell; Highlands High School Fort Thomas |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | DuPont Manual High School Louisville; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell; Highlands High School Fort Thomas |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawaii Preparatory Academy Kamuela; Le Jardin Academy Kailua; Maryknoll School Honolulu | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Lexington Catholic High School Lexington; Trinity High School Louisville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | The Lexington School Lexington; Kentucky Country Day School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Fayette County Public Schools Lexington; Jefferson County Public Schools Louisville; Oldham County Schools Crestwood |
Top Hawaii to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.