Hawaii to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like isolation from mainland vs closer to other states), food & health (like Poke vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs colonial, victorian), 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 Clam Chowder & Roast Beef Sandwiches
- Massachusetts housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Massachusetts is 13.42% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Hawaii to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Massachusetts
- Isolation from mainland
- Expensive cost of living
- Lack of seasonal change
- Limited job market
- High travel costs
- Closer to other states
- More affordable housing
- Distinct four seasons
- Robust job opportunities
- Inexpensive domestic travel
- Chilly winters
- Limited outdoor activities in winter
- Less cultural diversity
- Faster-paced lifestyle
- Higher grocery costs
- Beautiful beaches
- Outdoor activities year-round
- Diverse culture
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Fresh local produce
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to isolation from the mainland and hello to being closer to other states
- Look forward to moving away from the expensive cost of living and moving to Massachusetts with more affordable housing
- Swap the lack of seasonal change in Hawaii for distinct four seasons in Massachusetts
- Get ready for robust job opportunities in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with chilly winters in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities year-round and have to settle for the con of limited outdoor activities in winter
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Massachusetts
- Swap a relaxed lifestyle for a faster-paced lifestyle
Hawaii vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Roast Beef Sandwiches |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Lobster Rolls |
Most popular vegan food | Laulau (Vegan version) | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Hawaii to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Roast Beef Sandwiches and Lobster Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Laulau (vegan version) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Massachusetts. 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 Matsumoto Shave Ice. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Santarpio's Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Massachusetts
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean Views, Lanais | Historic Details, Access to Public Transit |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and access to public transit.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 13.42% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Massachusetts
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tsunamis | Nor'easters, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 70°F | 80°F / 60°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 78°F / 63°F | 37°F / 22°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Massachusetts 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 nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 5 degrees colder than Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 41 degrees colder than those in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Massachusetts
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Education, Healthcare, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Prevalent | Low |
Homelessness | Severe | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 2% more than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 27% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 1.4% to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Hawaii
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to prevalent in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is severe in Hawaii and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democrat | Lean Democrat |
Local Politics | High emphasis on indigenous rights and sustainability | Strong focus on education and healthcare reform |
Religion | Diverse, with significant Christian, Buddhist, and Shinto practices | Predominantly Christian, but very diverse |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democrat
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian but very diverse
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with significant Christian, Buddhist, and Shinto practices
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Massachusetts
Comparison | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Brigham Young University-Hawaii Hawaii Pacific University | University of Massachusetts Amherst Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) | Joseph Estabrook School (Lexington) Maria Hastings School (Lexington) Vinson-Owen Elementary School (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Blanchard Middle School (Westford) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Lexington High School (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Parker School (Kamuela) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
Top Hawaii to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Massachusetts