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Idaho to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Idaho to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs year-round mild climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Poke), real estate & housing (modern farmhouse vs plantation style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
  • Hawaii housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in Hawaii is 81.53% more expensive than in Idaho
  • Our top recommended Idaho to Hawaii movers is 208 Moving Company

Idaho to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Hawaii

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Distance from ocean
  • Rural isolation
  • Lack of diversity in food
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Year-round mild climate
  • Rich cultural experiences
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Dynamic city life
  • Culinary variety

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Expensive housing
  • Dense population areas
  • Lack of privacy
  • Limited travel options
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Low cost of living
  • Stable real estate market
  • Spacious suburbs
  • Quiet neighborhoods
  • Easy road trips

Pros of moving from Idaho to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a year-round mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to Hawaii with rich cultural experiences
  • Swap the distance from the ocean in Idaho for beautiful beaches in Hawaii
  • Get ready for dynamic city life in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Idaho to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Idaho to live with a high cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a stable real estate market and have to settle with the con of expensive housing
  • Time to bid farewell to spacious suburbs and get used to dense population areas in Hawaii
  • Swap quiet neighborhoods for a lack of privacy

Idaho vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesPoke
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemFinger SteaksSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodWild Huckleberry PieHaupia
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Statehouse
  • Viking Drive-In
  • Boise Fry Company
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Huckleberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Haupia of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Statehouse, Viking Drive-In, and Boise Fry Company. 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, MW Restaurant, and Ono Hawaiian BBQ.

When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Hawaii

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleModern FarmhousePlantation Style
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsOcean views, proximity to beaches
  • The Modern Farmhouse architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Plantation Style architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to beaches.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 81.53% more expensive than in Idaho.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Hawaii

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesVolcanoes, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVaries
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 50Β°F88Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F / 17Β°F78Β°F / 63Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)12-50 (varies by region)17-40 (varies greatly by area)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)19-300 (varies greatly by region)0 (except mountain tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 36% more sunshine days than Idaho.
  • Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and hurricanes in Hawaii.
  • The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
  • The average winter lows in Hawaii are 46 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Hawaii

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Avg. Household Income$72,785$92,458
Cost of Living Index91.5165.7
State Income Tax6.925%11%
Avg. Property Tax0.75%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax6%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Technology, ManufacturingTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 27% more than in Idaho
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 81% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 6.925% in ID
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Hawaii

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Political Make-upPredominantly RepublicanPrimarily Democratic
Local PoliticsConservativeLiberal
ReligionMajority Christian, significant Latter-day Saints communityDiverse; Christianity, Buddhism, Shintoism
  • Idaho tends to lean predominantly Republican in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Shintoism
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian with a significant Latter-day Saints community

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Hawaii

ComparisonIdahoHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsAndrus Elementary (Boise)
Ernest Hemingway STEM School (Ketchum)
Adams Elementary School (Boise)
Mililani Mauka Elementary (Mililani)
Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu)
Noelani Elementary (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Star Charter School (Eagle)
Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise)
Moscow Charter School (Moscow)
Kaimuki Middle School (Honolulu)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Renaissance High School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene)
Kalani High School (Honolulu)
Roosevelt High School (Honolulu)
Mililani High School (Mililani)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Le Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Hawaii Department of Education (statewide)
Not applicable as Hawaii operates under a single statewide school district

Top Idaho to Hawaii Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Hawaii

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Boise Local Boys Moving Company featured image

Boise Local Boys Moving Company

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Hawaii Routes

Boise to Hawaii