Hawaii to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Dungeness Crab), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs 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 Spam Musubi, but get your taste buds ready for Dungeness Crab & Brisket
- Oregon housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Oregon is 39.79% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
Top Hawaii to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Oregon

Elite Relocation Services

Ewa Moving Co.
Hawaii to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Oregon
- High living costs
- Limited job market
- Isolation
- Tropical storms
- More affordable housing
- Diverse job opportunities
- Proximity to major cities
- Mild climate
- No oceanfront living
- Rainy winters
- Less unique tradition
- More conventional nature
- Beautiful beaches
- Warm climate year-round
- Rich Hawaiian culture
- Exotic flora and fauna
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Oregon
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oregon with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the isolation of Hawaii for proximity to major cities in Oregon
- Get ready for a mild climate in Oregon
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with no oceanfront living in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm climate year-round and have to settle for the con of rainy winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich Hawaiian culture and get used to less unique traditions in Oregon
- Swap exotic flora and fauna for more conventional nature
Hawaii vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Spam Musubi | Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Food Carts |
Most popular vegan food | Taro | Tempeh |
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 Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Oregon. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Spam Musubi and sumptuous Shave Ice, Oregon residents know they have tasty Brisket and Food Carts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like House Without A Key, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Rainbow Drive-In. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Salt & Straw.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon, compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Oregon
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Green spaces, Proximity to nature |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like green spaces and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oregon is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oregon is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Oregon has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Oregon housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Oregon is 39.79% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Oregon
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies; Generally Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/70Β°F | 80Β°F/55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F/63Β°F | 47Β°F/33Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 43 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Oregon. Oregon gets 48% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Oregon 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 floods and earthquakes in Oregon.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 5 degrees colder than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oregon. Oregon receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Oregon
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 4.4% - 11% | 4.75% - 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Technology, Manufacturing, Forestry |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 18% less than those in Hawaii
- The cost of living index in Oregon will be 33% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in OR is 4.75% to 9.9% compared to 4.4% to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Oregon is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Oregon compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Hawaii and moderate in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Oregon
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Democratic leaning, with rural areas being more Republican |
Local Politics | High focus on environmental and indigenous rights | Environmental sustainability and healthcare are key issues |
Religion | Mix of Christian, Buddhist, and indigenous beliefs | Largely unaffiliated, but Christian and Buddhist communities present |
- Hawaii tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic leaning with rural areas being more Republican
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as largely unaffiliated, but with Christian and Buddhist communities present
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Christian, Buddhist, and indigenous beliefs
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Oregon
Comparison | Hawaii | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University University of Hawaii at Hilo | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Wilson Elementary (Honolulu) Aina Haina Elementary (Honolulu) | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Findley Elementary (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Washington Middle School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton) |
Top 3 High Schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Moanalua High School (Honolulu) | Lincoln High School (Portland) Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego) South Eugene High School (Eugene) |
Top 3 private high schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama (Honolulu) | Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) Catlin Gabel School (Portland) The Delphian School (Sheridan) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) | Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) Catlin Gabel School (Portland) The Delphian School (Sheridan) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) | Lake Oswego School District Portland Public Schools Beaverton School District |