Maryland to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Maryland to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs warm climate), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial vs plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Pit Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii's housing costs are 107% more expensive than those in Maryland
- Rent in Hawaii is 57.18% more expensive than in Maryland
- Our top recommended Maryland to Hawaii movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Hawaii
- Cold winters
- High state taxes
- Dense traffic
- Warm climate
- No sales tax
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Limited historical sites
- Isolated location
- Limited educational options
- Rich history
- Proximity to D.C.
- Highly rated schools
Pros of moving from Maryland to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a warm climate
- Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to Hawaii with no sales tax
- Swap the dense traffic of Maryland for a relaxed lifestyle in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Maryland to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Maryland to live with limited historical sites in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to D.C. and have to settle for the con of an isolated location
- Time to bid farewell to highly rated schools and get used to limited educational options in Hawaii
Maryland vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Pit Beef | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | 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 Maryland to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast 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 Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Sagamore Spirit Distillery. 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, Matsumoto Shave Ice, and Leonard's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Hawaii
Comparison | Maryland | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Plantation |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Energy efficiency, proximity to schools | Ocean view, outdoor living |
- The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Plantation architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and proximity to schools, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Hawaii is less walkable than Maryland.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Hawaii is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Hawaii has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Hawaii's housing costs are 107% more expensive than those in Maryland, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Hawaii is 57.18% more expensive than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Hawaii
Comparison | Maryland | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Volcanoes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Variable | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 29Β°F | 80Β°F / 65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 63.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maryland to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 27% more sunshine days than Maryland.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows in Hawaii are 36 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 19.7 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Hawaii
Comparison | Maryland | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 4.75 | 11.00 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10 | 0.26 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00 | 4.50 |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, IT, Manufacturing | Tourism, Agriculture, Military |
Affluence | Affluent | Quite Affluent |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 3% less than those in Maryland
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 33% higher than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in HI is 11.00 compared to 4.75 in MD
- The affluence in Hawaii is quite affluent compared to the affluent in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to the moderate level in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Maryland | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Mix of urban and rural perspectives | Strong cultural and indigenous influence |
Religion | Christianity major, diverse religious communities | Christianity major, significant Buddhist & Shinto presence |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as majorly Christianity, with a significant Buddhist and Shinto presence
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majorly Christianity, alongside diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Hawaii
Comparison | Maryland | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University University of Maryland Baltimore County | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Cashell Elementary (Rockville) Woodfield Elementary (Gaithersburg) | Mililani Mauka Elementary (Mililani) Momilani Elementary (Pearl City) Aina Haina Elementary (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Folly Quarter Middle School (Ellicott City) Burleigh Manor Middle School (Ellicott City) Cabin John Middle School (Potomac) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Poolesville High School (Poolesville) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Moanalua High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Frederick County Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top Maryland to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.