Massachusetts to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Massachusetts to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs year-round warmth), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Roast Beef Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 40% more expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Hawaii is 15.50% more expensive than in Massachusetts
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Hawaii movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Hawaii
- Cold winters
- High state tax
- Dense traffic
- Limited beaches
- Fast-paced life
- Year-round warmth
- No state income tax
- Relaxed pace
- Stunning beaches
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Limited historical sites
- Car dependency
- Few seasonal changes
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer higher education options
- Rich history
- Public transport
- Four seasons
- Cultural landmarks
- Numerous universities
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to year-round warmth
- Look forward to moving away from high state tax and moving to Hawaii with no state income tax
- Swap the dense traffic of Massachusetts for a relaxed pace in Hawaii
- Get ready for stunning beaches in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Massachusetts to live with limited historical sites in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transport and have to settle for the con of car dependency
- Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to few seasonal changes in Hawaii
- Swap cultural landmarks for a higher cost of living
Massachusetts vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Roast Beef Sandwich | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Clam Chowder | Taro Burger |
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 Massachusetts to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Roast Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Lobster Roll, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Clam Chowder they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Burger of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Legal Sea Foods. 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, Leilani's on the Beach, and Mama's Fish House.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Hawaii
Comparison | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Access to education, Historic details | Ocean view, Sustainability features |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference access to education and historic details, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and sustainability features.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Hawaii is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Hawaii has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Hawaii housing costs are 40% more expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased 38% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Hawaii is 15.50% more expensive than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Hawaii
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Snowstorms, Hurricanes | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 22Β°F | 80Β°F / 65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 63" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 39% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 8 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 43 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 19 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Hawaii
Comparison | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 4.0% - 11.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.2% | 0.3% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 4.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Finance | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Severe |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 2% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Hawaii is 36% higher than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in Hawaii is 4.0% - 11.0% compared to 5.0% in Massachusetts
- The affluence in Hawaii is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is high in Hawaii compared to moderate in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and severe in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Liberal/Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive policies on healthcare, education | Strong environmental focus, equality |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, large non-religious community | Multicultural religious landscape, significant Buddhist and Shinto presence |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a multicultural religious landscape with a significant Buddhist and Shinto presence
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a large non-religious community
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Hawaii
Comparison | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) Chickering School (Dover) | Maunaloa Elementary (Maunaloa) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Pu'u Kukui Elementary School (Wailuku) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Wayland Middle School (Wayland) | Waikiki Elementary (Honolulu) Kaimuki Middle School (Honolulu) Ewa Makai Middle School (Ewa Beach) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) | President William McKinley High School (Honolulu) Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu) Kalani High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) Belmont Hill School (Belmont) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Honolulu Hawaii (Big Island) Central Oahu |
Top Massachusetts to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Hawaii