Hawaii to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Hot Chicken), real estate & housing (plantation, territorial 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 Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Hot Chicken & Barbecue Ribs
- Tennessee housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Tennessee is 42.67% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Tennessee movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Hawaii to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Tennessee
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- Geographic isolation
- Tourism reliance
- Volcanic activity
- Lower cost of living
- Diverse job opportunities
- Central location
- Industrial diversity
- Stable land
- Landlocked state
- Four distinct seasons
- Cultural adjustment
- Less diverse fauna
- More urban areas
- Beautiful beaches
- Mild climate
- Rich cultural heritage
- Unique wildlife
- Scenic nature spots
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Tennessee with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the geographic isolation of Hawaii for a central location in Tennessee
- Get ready for industrial diversity in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live in a landlocked state in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of a mild climate and have to settle for the con of four distinct seasons
- Time to bid farewell to a rich cultural heritage and get used to cultural adjustment in Tennessee
- Swap unique wildlife for less diverse fauna
Hawaii vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Hot Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pork | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Barbecue Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Poke | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Hot Chicken of Tennessee. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Shave Ice, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Barbecue Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Poke they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Leonard's Bakery, and Matsumoto Shave Ice. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Corky's BBQ, and The Peach Truck (Seasonal).
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Tennessee
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Territorial | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Large yards, Proximity to music scenes |
- The Plantation and Territorial architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to music scenes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Tennessee housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Tennessee is 42.67% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Tennessee
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7 | 54.0 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 (except mountains) | 6 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Tennessee 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 tornadoes and floods in Tennessee.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 4 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Tennessee are 33 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 9.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Tennessee
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 4.4%-11% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Visible | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 29% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 46% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is modest compared to moderate in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to visible in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Liberal policies on social issues | Conservative policies on social issues |
Religion | A mix, with Buddhism and Christianity being prominent | Primarily Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong evangelical presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix with Buddhism and Christianity being prominent
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Tennessee
Comparison | Hawaii | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Brigham Young University-Hawaii Hawaii Pacific University | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University University of Memphis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Manoa Elementary School Honolulu; PΕ«Κ»Εhala Elementary School Kaneohe; NuΚ»uanu Elementary School Honolulu | Lakeland Elementary School Lakeland; Edmondson Elementary School Brentwood; Nolensville Elementary School Nolensville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Meigs Magnet Middle School Nashville; Brentwood Middle School Brentwood; Bluff City Middle School Bluff City |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus Honolulu | McCallie School Chattanooga; Harpeth Hall School Nashville; Baylor School Chattanooga |
Top 3 private high schools | La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls Honolulu; Κ»Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Baylor School Chattanooga; Harpeth Hall School Nashville; McCallie School Chattanooga |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Κ»Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Campus Honolulu | Baylor School Chattanooga; McCallie School Chattanooga; University School of Nashville Nashville |
Top 3 School Districts | Moanalua-King Intermediate & High Mililani Area Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Williamson County Schools Franklin Special School District Maryville City Schools |
Top Hawaii to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to Tennessee