Movers

Indiana to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Indiana to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs warm, tropical climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Poke), real estate & housing (midwestern, 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 Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Grilled Pork Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
  • Hawaii housing costs are 262% more expensive than those in Indiana
  • Rent in Hawaii is 117.31% more expensive than in Indiana
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Hawaii movers is MVM Moving & Storage

Indiana to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Hawaii

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Cold winters
  • Flat terrain
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Landlocked
  • Conservative culture
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm, tropical climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Surfing and hiking
  • Ocean access
  • Diverse culture

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Tourism-dependence
  • Distant from family
  • Small-island isolation
  • Limited space
Indiana iconIndiana
  • Lower cost of living
  • Stable economy
  • Family closeby
  • Familiar communities
  • Wide-open farmland

Pros of moving from Indiana to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a warm, tropical climate
  • Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Hawaii with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the limited outdoor activities of Indiana for surfing and hiking in Hawaii
  • Get ready for ocean access in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Indiana to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a stable economy and have to settle with the con of tourism dependence
  • Time to bid farewell to family nearby and get used to being distant from family in Hawaii
  • Swap familiar communities for small-island isolation

Indiana vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichPoke
Most popular meat dishGrilled Pork RibsKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemBreaded Pork TenderloinSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodRoasted VegetablesPoi
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery
  • Bluebeard
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 Indiana to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Grilled Pork Ribs and sumptuous Breaded Pork Tenderloin, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Vegetables they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Poi of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery, and Bluebeard. 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, Leonard's Bakery, and Roy's Hawaii.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Hawaii

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleMidwestern, RanchPlantation, Modern
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, basementsOcean views, lanais
  • The Midwestern and Ranch architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and basements, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and lanais.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Indiana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 262% more expensive than those in Indiana with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 117.31% more expensive than in Indiana.

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

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsHurricanes, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6488/75
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/2078/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4263
Annual Snowfall (Inches)220 (except mountain tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 49% more sunshine days than Indiana.
  • Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
  • The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in Indiana.
  • The average winter lows are 43 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Hawaii

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$66,785$92,458
Cost of Living Index92.95165.7
State Income Tax3.23%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax0.87%0.27%
Avg. Sales Tax7%4%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 38% more than those in Indiana
  • The COLI in Hawaii is 78% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
  • The state income tax in HI is between 1.4% and 11% compared to 3.23% in IN
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
  • The poverty level is low in Hawaii compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Hawaii

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Democrat
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasLiberal, with a focus on environmental and native rights
ReligionChristianity dominantDiverse: Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs
  • Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democrat
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse with Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Hawaii

ComparisonIndianaHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University Bloomington
Purdue University
Ball State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSignature School (Evansville)
School for Community Learning (Indianapolis)
Paramount School of Excellence (Indianapolis)
Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu)
Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani)
Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette)
Brown County Junior High School (Nashville)
Sidney & Lois Eskenazi School of Art Architecture + Design (Bloomington)
Kailua Intermediate School (Kailua)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Top 3 High School SchoolsSignature School (Evansville)
Carmel High School (Carmel)
Fishers High School (Fishers)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsCulver Academies (Culver)
Park Tudor School (Indianapolis)
University High School of Indiana (Carmel)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsTraders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown)
The Orchard School (Indianapolis)
University High School of Indiana (Carmel)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Le Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools
West Lafayette Community School Corporation
Brownsburg Community School Corporation
Hawaii Department of Education (statewide)
Honolulu School District
Central Oahu District

Top Indiana to Hawaii Movers

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

TOP PICK
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Hawaii

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bulldogs Moving Co. featured image

Bulldogs Moving Co.

9.13/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville

8.90/10

Indianapolis to Hawaii

Fort Wayne to Hawaii