Iowa to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Iowa to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm climate year-round), food & health (like Corn vs Poke), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Corn and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 301% more expensive than they are in Iowa
- Rent in Hawaii is 171.39% more expensive than in Iowa
- Our top recommended Iowa to Hawaii movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Iowa to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Limited ocean access
- Flat landscapes
- Severe thunderstorms
- Monotonous scenery
- Warm climate year-round
- Stunning beaches
- Scenic mountains
- Fewer natural disasters
- Diverse ecosystems
- High cost of housing
- Island isolation
- Limited land availability
- Expensive imports
- Limited agricultural space
- Lower cost of living
- Community vibe
- Agricultural resources
- Affordable local produce
- Expansive farmland
Pros of moving from Iowa to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a warm climate year-round
- Look forward to moving away from limited ocean access and moving to Hawaii with stunning beaches
- Swap the flat landscapes of Iowa for scenic mountains in Hawaii
- Get ready for fewer natural disasters in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Iowa to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Iowa to live with a high cost of housing in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of a community vibe and have to settle with the con of island isolation
- Time to bid farewell to agricultural resources and get used to limited land availability in Hawaii
- Swap affordable local produce for expensive imports
Iowa vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Corn | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Taco Trucks | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | Acai 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 Iowa to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Corn of Iowa for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Taco Trucks, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Acai Bowls of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Machine Shed, Zombie Burger, and Auld Public Library. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Ono Hawaiian Foods, and Rainbow Drive-In.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Hawaii
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, Garages | Ocean views, Energy efficiency |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and garages, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Hawaii is more walkable than Iowa.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
- Hawaii housing costs are 301% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Iowaβs $214,151.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
- Rent in Hawaii is 171.39% more expensive than in Iowa.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Hawaii
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 14Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 63" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 32" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 32% more sunshine days than Iowa.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Iowa.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 6 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
- The average winter lows are 49 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 29 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Hawaii
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 8.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 33% more than in Iowa
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 73% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
- The state income tax in HI is 8.25% compared to 6.5% in IA
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Iowa
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in Iowa
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, varying political leanings | Mostly Democratic |
Local Politics | Significant rural vs. urban divide | Focus on local issues, environment |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a mix of other faiths | Diverse religious landscape, strong Asian spiritual influence |
- Iowa tends to lean as a swing state, with varying political leanings in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as mostly Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as having a diverse religious landscape and a strong Asian spiritual influence
- Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a mix of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Hawaii
Comparison | Iowa | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wickham Elementary (Coralville) Shimek Elementary School (Iowa City) Brookview Elementary School (West Des Moines) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) NuΚ»uanu Elementary (Honolulu) Aina Haina Elementary (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ames Middle School (Ames) North Central Junior High (Coralville) South East Junior High (Iowa City) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Liberty High School (North Liberty) | President William McKinley High School (Honolulu) Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu) Kalani High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids) Bishop Heelan Catholic High School (Sioux City) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei) |
Top 3 School Districts | Iowa City Community School District West Des Moines Community Schools Ames Community School District | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area |
Top Iowa to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.