Indiana to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

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
- Cold winters
- Flat terrain
- Limited outdoor activities
- Landlocked
- Conservative culture
- Warm, tropical climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Surfing and hiking
- Ocean access
- Diverse culture
- Higher cost of living
- Tourism-dependence
- Distant from family
- Small-island isolation
- Limited space
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Pork Ribs | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Breaded Pork Tenderloin | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Roasted Vegetables | Poi |
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 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
Comparison | Indiana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern, Ranch | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, basements | Ocean 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 Indianaβs $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
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Hurricanes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 88/75 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/20 | 78/63 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 0 (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
Comparison | Indiana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 0.27% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democrat |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Liberal, with a focus on environmental and native rights |
Religion | Christianity dominant | Diverse: 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
Comparison | Indiana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Signature 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 Schools | West 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 Schools | Signature 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 schools | Culver 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 schools | Traders 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 Districts | Carmel 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.