Hawaii to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (plantation, contemporary vs traditional, 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 Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & BBQ Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 76% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Oklahoma is 56.69% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Oklahoma movers is Serenity Moving Services
Hawaii to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Oklahoma
- High cost of living
- Isolated lifestyle
- Limited job market
- High humidity
- Risk of hurricanes
- Lower cost of living
- Central US location
- Diverse job opportunities
- Four distinct seasons
- Less extreme weather
- No oceanfront views
- Chilly winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Less coastal cuisine
- Fewer outdoor attractions
- Stunning beaches
- Year-round warm weather
- Rich cultural heritage
- Fresh seafood
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from an isolated lifestyle and moving to Oklahoma with a central US location
- Swap the limited job market of Hawaii for diverse job opportunities in Oklahoma
- Get ready for four distinct seasons in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the stunning beaches in Hawaii to live with no oceanfront views in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round warm weather and have to settle for the con of chilly winters
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural heritage and get used to fewer cultural events in Oklahoma
- Swap fresh seafood for less coastal cuisine
Hawaii vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pork | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Fried Onion Burger |
Most popular vegan food | Taro Dishes | Vegetable Chili |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty BBQ Brisket and Fried Onion Burger 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 Vegetable Chili of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Roy's Hawaii, Alan Wong's, and Helena's Hawaiian Food. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Leo's BBQ, and Eischen's Bar.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Oklahoma, compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Oklahoma
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Contemporary | Traditional, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Lanais | Land, Garages |
- The Plantation and Contemporary architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views and lanais, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like land and garages.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oklahoma is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 76% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 56.69% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Oklahoma
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/70 | 94/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78/63 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7 | 36.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 10 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Oklahoma 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 hailstorms in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 9 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 27.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Oklahoma
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | Up to 11% | Up to 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 8.95% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Aerospace, Energy, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 35% less than those in Hawaii
- The COLI in Oklahoma will be 46% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in OK is up to 5% compared to up to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Oklahoma is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is high in Oklahoma compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Liberal policies, focus on environmentalism | Conservative policies, focus on energy and agriculture |
Religion | Multicultural, with a significant Buddhist and Christian population | Predominantly Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a strong evangelical presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as multicultural with a significant Buddhist and Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Oklahoma
Comparison | Hawaii | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) | Chisholm Elementary School (Edmond) Russell Dougherty Elementary School (Edmond) Wayland Bonds Elementary School (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Whittier Middle School (Norman) Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond) Central Middle School (Edmond) |
Top 3 High Schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus (Honolulu) | Edmond North High School (Edmond) Norman High School (Norman) Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa) |
Top 3 private high schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Mid-Pacific Institute (Honolulu) | Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls (Honolulu) | Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Holland Hall (Tulsa) Crossings Christian School (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools |
Top Hawaii to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Serenity Moving Services
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Oklahoma