Hawaii to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high food costs vs lower grocery expenses), food & health (like Poke vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (plantation, modern 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 Virginia Ham & Country Ham Biscuits
- Virginia housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Virginia is 37.58% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Hawaii to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Virginia
- High food costs
- Limited job market
- Isolated location
- Expensive real estate
- Hurricane season
- Lower grocery expenses
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Proximity to major cities
- Affordable housing options
- Mild weather conditions
- Fewer beach options
- Cold winters
- Cultural adjustment
- Faster pace of life
- Less water sports
- Breathtaking beaches
- Warm climate year-round
- Vibrant local culture
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Virginia
- Say goodbye to high food costs and hello to lower grocery expenses
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Virginia with diverse employment opportunities
- Swap the isolated location of Hawaii for proximity to major cities in Virginia
- Get ready for affordable housing options in Virginia
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from breathtaking beaches in Hawaii to live with fewer beach options in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm climate year-round and have to settle with the con of cold winters
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant local culture and get used to cultural adjustment in Virginia
- Swap a laid-back lifestyle for a faster pace of life
Hawaii vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Virginia Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pork | Country Ham Biscuits |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Taro-based dishes | Vegetable Grain Bowls |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham Biscuits and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Grain Bowls of Virginia. 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 Alan Wong's. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L'Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Mama's Fish House.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Virginia
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, sustainability | Historic significance, community |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and sustainability, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historic significance and community.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Virginia is less walkable than Hawaii.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Virginia is less bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Virginia has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Virginia housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Virginia is 37.58% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Virginia
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 48Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63.7 | 44.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 10-20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Virginia. Virginia gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Virginia 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 hurricanes and earthquakes in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 34 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 19.4 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Virginia
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 8.25% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 0.82% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 5.3% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Defense, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 7% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Virginia will be 42% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in VA is 5.75% compared to 8.25% in HI
- The affluence in Virginia is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Virginia
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing state, historically leaning slightly more Democratic in recent years |
Local Politics | High focus on indigenous rights and environmental issues | Diverse political priorities, with urban areas leaning more progressive and rural areas more conservative |
Religion | Mixed; Buddhism, Christianity, indigenous spirituality | Primarily Christian, with a broad mix of denominations |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, historically leaning slightly more Democratic in recent years
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a broad mix of denominations
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, including Buddhism, Christianity, and indigenous spirituality
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Virginia
Comparison | Hawaii | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University | University of Virginia Virginia Tech George Mason University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) | Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna) Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Nottingham Elementary School (Arlington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) Cooper Middle School (McLean) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School (McLean) Langley High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) The St. Andrew's Schools (Honolulu) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) | Woodberry Forest School (Woodberry Forest) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) The Madeira School (McLean) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls (Honolulu) | The Potomac School (McLean) Flint Hill School (Oakton) Madeira School (McLean) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | Fairfax County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools |
Top Hawaii to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.