Movers

Kansas to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Extreme weather
  • Flat landscape
  • Limited ocean access
  • Fire hazard risk
  • Landlocked state
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Tropical climate
  • Stunning beaches
  • Ocean activities
  • Volcanic safety
  • Island lifestyle

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • More expensive
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Year-round heat
  • Island traffic
  • Island isolation
Kansas iconKansas
  • 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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsPoke
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketLuau Pork
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • SLAP's BBQ
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Honolulu Kitchen
  • Leonard's Bakery
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 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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, BungalowPlantation, 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 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 Kansas’s $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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
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, StormsVolcanoes, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6885/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2078/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28 - 4417 - 40
Annual Snowfall (Inches)12 - 300 (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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
Avg. Household Income$68,925$92,458
Cost of Living Index91.8165.7
State Income Tax3.1% - 5.7%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%4.44%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AerospaceTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModestComfortable
PovertyAverageModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • 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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
Political Make-upConservative-leaningLiberal-leaning
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominated state governmentDemocratic-dominated state government
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a strong presence of EvangelicalsDiverse; 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

ComparisonKansasHawaii
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 SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village; Sunset Hill Elementary
Lawrence; Corinth Elementary
Prairie Village
Punahou School
Honolulu; Iolani School
Honolulu; Kaelepulu Elementary
Kailua
Top 3 Middle SchoolsOverland 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 SchoolsBlue 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsBlue 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.

TOP PICK
American Movers featured image

American Movers

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Hawaii

9.03/10
RUNNER-UP
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

8.53/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
It's Your Move featured image

It's Your Move

8.47/10
FabulousView details

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