Hawaii to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Pulled Pork BBQ), 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 Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC BBQ
- North Carolina housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in North Carolina is 40.93% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Hawaii to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to North Carolina
- High cost of living
- Island isolation
- Limited job market
- Tourism congestion
- Affordable housing
- Proximity to mainland cities
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Community-focused environment
- Lack of coastline
- Seasonal weather variations
- Fewer cultural festivals
- Limited to seasons
- Breathtaking beaches
- Warm climate year-round
- Unique Hawaiian culture
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Hawaii to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from island isolation and moving to North Carolina with proximity to mainland cities
- Swap the limited job market of Hawaii for diverse employment opportunities in North Carolina
- Get ready for a community-focused environment in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Hawaii to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the breathtaking beaches in Hawaii to live with a lack of coastline in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm climate year-round and have to settle with the con of seasonal weather variations
- Time to bid farewell to the unique Hawaiian culture and get used to fewer cultural festivals in North Carolina
- Swap outdoor activities for those limited to the seasons
Hawaii vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Eastern NC BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Taro dishes | Sweet Potato dishes |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Shave Ice, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC BBQ and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Sweet Potato dishes of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Matsumoto Shave Ice, and Hukilau Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Beasleyβs Chicken + Honey, and The Pit.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and North Carolina
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Views, Access to Nature | Large Yards, Proximity to Business Centers |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views and access to nature, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to business centers.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Carolina is less walkable than Hawaii.
- North Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Hawaii.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- North Carolina housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased 63% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in North Carolina is 40.93% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and North Carolina
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/75Β°F | 88Β°F/68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F/63Β°F | 50Β°F/30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- North Carolina has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and North Carolina
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 11% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.31% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 6.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Technology, Finance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 27% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 42% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 1.4% to 11% in HI
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and lower in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Swing State, leaning Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive on social issues | Mixed, with both conservative and progressive areas |
Religion | Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto | Primarily Christian (Protestant) |
- Hawaii tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, leaning Republican
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Protestant)
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to North Carolina
Comparison | Hawaii | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University University of Hawaii at Hilo | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) Mililani Ike Elementary School (Mililani) | Morrisville Elementary School (Morrisville) Thales Academy (Rolesville) Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Phillips Middle School (Chapel Hill) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Jay M Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Moanalua High School (Honolulu) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Providence Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) | Cary Academy (Cary) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (state-run) | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
Top Hawaii to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to North Carolina