Hawaii to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Philly Cheesesteak), 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 Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 70% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 49.40% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Hawaii to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Pennsylvania
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Island isolation
- Restricted space
- High import costs
- Affordable housing
- Diverse job market
- Easy mainland access
- Ample land
- Local produce
- Cold winters
- Less cultural diversity
- Inland location
- Faster pace of life
- More urbanized areas
- Warm climate year-round
- Rich cultural heritage
- Scenic beaches
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Unique natural beauty
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Pennsylvania with a diverse job market
- Swap the island isolation of Hawaii for easy mainland access in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for ample land in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the warm climate year-round in Hawaii to live with cold winters in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural heritage and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to scenic beaches and get used to an inland location in Pennsylvania
- Swap a relaxed lifestyle for a faster pace of life
Hawaii vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Taro | Mushroom Soup |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Soup of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Hana Ranch Provisions, and Leonard's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Reading Terminal Market.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Outdoor living | Historic details, Spacious yards |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and outdoor living, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and spacious yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 70% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 49.40% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanoes, Tsunamis | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/70 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78/63 | 40/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 36% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is the same as in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 43 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 8.25 | 3.07 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28 | 1.58 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Medium |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 22% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 40% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07 compared to 8.25 in HI
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is varied compared to moderate in Hawaii
- The poverty level is medium in Pennsylvania compared to low in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Moderate; mix of Democratic and Republican |
Local Politics | High engagement in local issues | Varies by region, significant focus on local economies and education |
Religion | Diverse; Christianity, Buddhism | Primarily Christian (Catholic, Protestant) |
- Hawaii tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as moderate and a mix of Democratic and Republican
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Catholic and Protestant)
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Christianity and Buddhism
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Hawaii at Hilo Pacific University | Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) | Bradford Woods Elementary (Pittsburgh) Franklin Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) North Allegheny High School (Wexford) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Parker School (Kamuela) | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District (Berwyn) Lower Merion School District (Ardmore) North Allegheny School District (Pittsburgh) |
Top Hawaii to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Pennsylvania