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Hawaii to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs abundant career options), food & health (like Poke vs Bagel), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs colonial, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Bagel & New York Strip Steak
  • New York housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
  • Rent in New York is 14.79% more affordable than in Hawaii
  • Our top recommended Hawaii to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Hawaii to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to New York

ConsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Limited job opportunities
  • High cost of living
  • Remote location
  • Limited nightlife
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Abundant career options
  • Diverse living options
  • Central hub of activity
  • Vibrant nightlife scene

New York iconNew York
  • No nearby beaches
  • Harsh winters
  • Fast-paced environment
  • High population density
Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Mild weather year-round
  • Relaxed lifestyle
  • Rich cultural heritage

Pros of moving from Hawaii to New York

  • Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to abundant career options
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to New York with diverse living options
  • Swap the remote location of Hawaii for a central hub of activity in New York
  • Get ready for a vibrant nightlife scene in New York

Cons of moving from Hawaii to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with no nearby beaches in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild weather year-round and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to a relaxed lifestyle and get used to a fast-paced environment in New York
  • Swap rich cultural heritage for high population density

Hawaii vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Most iconic local food itemPokeBagel
Most popular meat dishKalua PorkNew York Strip Steak
Most popular street food itemShave IceHallal Guys
Most popular vegan foodAcai BowlVegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Mama's Fish House
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Peter Luger
  • Junior's
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Hawaii to New York, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Bagel of New York. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Shave Ice, New York residents know they have tasty New York Strip Steak and Halal Guys 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 Vegan Pizza of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Leonard's Bakery, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Mama's Fish House. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Peter Luger, and Junior's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and New York

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Typical Architecture StylePlantation, ModernColonial, Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOcean views, LanaisSubway access, Rooftop
  • The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, New York real estate listings often highlight features like subway access and rooftops.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New York is more walkable than Hawaii.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New York is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Hawaii.
  • New York housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
  • Rent in New York is 14.79% more affordable than in Hawaii.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and New York

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Volcanic EruptionsBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 70°F85°F / 66°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)78°F / 63°F39°F / 26°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)63.7"49.9"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"25.8"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to New York as New York gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
  • New York has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in New York.
  • The average summer high temperature in New York is the same as in Hawaii.
  • The average winter lows are 37 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New York as it receives 13.8 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and New York

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Avg. Household Income$92,458$79,557
Cost of Living Index165.7102.8
State Income Tax1.4% - 11.0%4.0% - 10.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.28%1.72%
Avg. Sales Tax4.44%8.52%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Military, AgricultureFinance, Media, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateAffluent
PovertyPersistentNotable
HomelessnessWidespreadSignificant
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 14% less than those in Hawaii
  • The COLI in New York will be 38% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
  • The state income tax in NY is 4.0% to 10.9% compared to 1.4% to 11.0% in HI
  • The affluence in New York is affluent compared to moderate in Hawaii
  • The poverty level is notable in New York compared to persistent in Hawaii
  • In terms of homelessness, it is widespread in Hawaii and significant in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. New York

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Political Make-upDemocrat-dominatedDemocrat-dominated
Local PoliticsHigh engagement in environmental and indigenous rights issuesActive involvement in social justice, healthcare, and education reforms
ReligionMix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Hawaiian indigenous beliefsDiverse; Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and secularism
  • Hawaii tends to lean democrat-dominated in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as democrat-dominated
  • New York's religious environment can be described as diverse with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and secularism
  • Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Hawaiian indigenous beliefs

Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to New York

ComparisonHawaiiNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Hawaii at Manoa
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University
New York University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMililani Mauka Elementary School
Mililani; Manoa Elementary School
Honolulu; Punahou School
Honolulu
PS 77 Lower Lab School
New York; Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1
Bronx; Anderson School
New York
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIolani School
Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus
Honolulu; Punahou School
Honolulu
Baccalaureate School for Global Education
Queens; Anderson School
New York; Rye Middle School
Rye
Top 3 High SchoolsPunahou School
Honolulu; Iolani School
Honolulu; Moanalua High School
Honolulu
Bronx High School of Science
Bronx; Stuyvesant High School
New York; Townsend Harris High School
Flushing
Top 3 private high schoolsIolani School
Honolulu; Punahou School
Honolulu; Mid-Pacific Institute
Honolulu
Horace Mann School
Bronx; Trinity School
New York; Dalton School
New York
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLe Jardin Academy
Kailua; Island Pacific Academy
Kapolei; Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Kamuela
Collegiate School
New York; Brearley School
New York; The Spence School
New York
Top 3 School DistrictsHawaii Department of Education (statewide)Scarsdale Union Free School District
Scarsdale; Jericho Union Free School District
Jericho; Syosset Central School District
Syosset

Top Hawaii to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Hawaii to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very GoodView details