Kansas to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Kansas to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme weather vs tropical climate), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch, bungalow vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Luau Pork
- Hawaii housing costs are 283% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Hawaii is 167.26% more expensive than in Kansas
- Our top recommended Kansas to Hawaii movers is American Movers
Kansas to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Hawaii
- Extreme weather
- Flat landscape
- Limited ocean access
- Fire hazard risk
- Landlocked state
- Tropical climate
- Stunning beaches
- Ocean activities
- Volcanic safety
- Island lifestyle
- More expensive
- Cultural adjustment
- Year-round heat
- Island traffic
- Island isolation
- Cost of living
- Familiar community
- Varied seasons
- Less traffic
- Local festivals
Pros of moving from Kansas to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to extreme weather and hello to a tropical climate
- Look forward to moving away from a flat landscape and moving to Hawaii with stunning beaches
- Swap the limited ocean access of Kansas for ocean activities in Hawaii
- Get ready for volcanic safety in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Kansas to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cost of living in Kansas to live with higher costs in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of a familiar community and have to settle with the con of cultural adjustment
- Time to bid farewell to varied seasons and get used to year-round heat in Hawaii
- Swap less traffic for island traffic
Kansas vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Luau Pork |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwich | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Taro Dishes |
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 Kansas to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Luau Pork and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Dishes of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Q39, and SLAP's BBQ. 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, Honolulu Kitchen, and Leonard's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Hawaii
Comparison | Kansas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Bungalow | 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 Ranch and Bungalow architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Kansas'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 Kansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Hawaii housing costs are 283% more expensive than they are in Kansas with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Hawaii is 167.26% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Hawaii
Comparison | Kansas | 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, Storms | Volcanoes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 85/70 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/20 | 78/63 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 - 44 | 17 - 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12 - 30 | 0 (except high elevations) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kansas to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 18% more sunshine days than Kansas.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 4 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 43 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Hawaii
Comparison | Kansas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.1% - 5.7% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Comfortable |
Poverty | Average | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 34% more than those in Kansas
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 81% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in HI is 1.4% to 11% compared to 3.1% to 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in Hawaii is comfortable compared to modest in Kansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to average in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Kansas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Liberal-leaning |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated state government | Democratic-dominated state government |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a strong presence of Evangelicals | Diverse; Christianity prevalent, significant Buddhist and Shinto communities |
- Kansas tends to lean conservative-leaning in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as liberal-leaning
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Christianity prevalent and significant Buddhist and Shinto communities
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a strong presence of Evangelicals
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Hawaii
Comparison | Kansas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Meadowbrook Elementary Prairie Village; Sunset Hill Elementary Lawrence; Corinth Elementary Prairie Village | Punahou School Honolulu; Iolani School Honolulu; Kaelepulu Elementary Kailua |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Overland Trail Middle School Overland Park; Lakewood Middle School Overland Park; Harmony Middle School Overland Park | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 High School Schools | Blue Valley North High School Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East High School Prairie Village; Blue Valley West High School Overland Park | Punahou School Honolulu; Iolani School Honolulu; Moanalua High School Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Bishop Seabury Academy Lawrence; The Independent School Wichita | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Wichita Collegiate School Wichita; Bishop Seabury Academy Lawrence | Punahou School Honolulu; Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Overland Park; Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission; Olathe District Schools Olathe | Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu; Kailua Public Schools Kailua; Lahaina Public Schools Lahaina |
Top Kansas to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.