Kentucky to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Kentucky to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Poke), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs plantation, modern tropical), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Spam Musubi
- Hawaii housing costs are 326% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Hawaii is 123.99% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Hawaii movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Limited beaches
- Fewer cultural events
- Landlocked
- Less diverse cuisine
- Mild climate
- Beautiful coastlines
- Vibrant festivals
- Island lifestyle
- Rich culinary scene
- Higher cost of living
- Limited agriculture space
- Fewer historical sites
- Tourist crowds
- Lack of seasonal change
- Lower cost of living
- Ample farmland
- Historic landmarks
- Quieter lifestyle
- Four distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to Hawaii with beautiful coastlines
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Kentucky for vibrant festivals in Hawaii
- Get ready for an island lifestyle in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of ample farmland and have to settle with the con of limited agricultural space
- Time to bid farewell to historic landmarks and get used to fewer historical sites in Hawaii
- Swap a quieter lifestyle for tourist crowds
Kentucky vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Spam Musubi |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | 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 Kentucky to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Spam Musubi and Shave Ice 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 Poi of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Ramsey's Diner, and The Green River Grill. 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 Aloha Mixed Plate.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Hawaii
Comparison | Kentucky | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Plantation, Modern Tropical |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Ocean view, access to amenities |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern Tropical architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and access to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Hawaii housing costs are 326% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Hawaii is 123.99% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Hawaii
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies, Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 85/70 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43/23 | 78/63 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 63-160 (varies by location) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 0 (except mountaintops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 39% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 40 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Hawaii
Comparison | Kentucky | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining | Tourism, Military, Services |
Affluence | Modest | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Lower | Significantly Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 56% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 89% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Hawaii is higher compared to modest affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is higher in Hawaii compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Kentucky and significantly higher in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Kentucky | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative on most issues | Progressive on most issues |
Religion | Christian predominance | Diverse: Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto |
- Kentucky tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having Christian predominance
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Hawaii
Comparison | Kentucky | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary in Pikeville Rosa Parks Elementary in Lexington Mann Elementary in Union | Pearl Ridge Elementary in Aiea Mililani Mauka Elementary in Mililani MaΚ»emaΚ»e Elementary in Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beechwood Middle School in Fort Mitchell North Oldham Middle School in Goshen Murray Middle School in Murray | Iolani School in Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus in Honolulu Punahou School in Honolulu |
Top 3 High School Schools | DuPont Manual High School in Louisville Highlands High School in Fort Thomas Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell | President Theodore Roosevelt High School in Honolulu President William McKinley High School in Honolulu Moanalua High School in Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville St. Xavier High School in Louisville Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington | Iolani School in Honolulu Punahou School in Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus in Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School in Lexington Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville Sayre School in Lexington | Le Jardin Academy in Kailua Hanalani Schools in Mililani Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kamuela |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Boone County Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide System) |
Top Kentucky to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.