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Maine to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Maine to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm all year), food & health (like Lobster Roll 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 Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
  • Hawaii's housing costs are 119% more expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in Hawaii is 61.43% more expensive than in Maine
  • Our top recommended Maine to Hawaii movers is SC Moving Services

Maine to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Hawaii

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job markets
  • Remote location
  • Lack of diversity
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm all year
  • Diverse economy
  • Tropical landscapes
  • Cultural richness

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Limited housing options
  • Expensive groceries
  • Frequent rain showers
Maine iconMaine
  • Quiet lifestyle
  • Coastal beauty
  • Fresh seafood
  • Vibrant Fall Foliage

Pros of moving from Maine to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to warm weather all year
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job markets and moving to Hawaii with a diverse economy
  • Swap the remote location of Maine for tropical landscapes in Hawaii
  • Get ready for cultural richness in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Maine to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the quiet lifestyle in Maine to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of coastal beauty and have to settle with the con of limited housing options
  • Time to bid farewell to fresh seafood and get used to expensive groceries in Hawaii
  • Swap vibrant fall foliage for frequent rain showers

Maine vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineHawaii
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollPoke
Most popular meat dishLobsterKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichShave Ice
Most popular vegan foodWild Blueberry PieTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Fore Street
  • Duckfat
  • Alan Wong's Restaurant
  • Roy's Hawaii
  • 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 Maine to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Blueberry Pie 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 Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Alan Wong's Restaurant, Roy's Hawaii, and Leonard's Bakery.

When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Hawaii

ComparisonMaineHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodPlantation, 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 listingWaterfront, AcreageOcean View, Sustainable Features
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and acreage, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like ocean view and sustainable features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • Hawaii's housing costs are 119% more expensive than they are in Maine with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 61.43% more expensive than in Maine.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Hawaii

ComparisonMaineHawaii
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 DisastersSnowstorms, Cold WavesVolcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70-80Β°F / 50-60Β°F85-90Β°F / 70-75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)20-35Β°F / 10-20Β°F78-82Β°F / 65-70Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"63"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)50-70"0" (except mountaintops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 38% more sunshine days than Maine.
  • Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and hurricanes in Hawaii.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 55 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Hawaii

ComparisonMaineHawaii
Avg. Household Income$69,543$92,458
Cost of Living Index116.5165.7
State Income Tax5% - 7.15%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax1.25%0.27%
Avg. Sales Tax5.5%4%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Tourism, AgricultureTourism, Government, Defense
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 33% more than those in Maine
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 42% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in HI is 1.4% to 11% compared to 5% to 7.15% in ME
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Maine
  • The poverty level is low in Hawaii compared to moderate in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Hawaii

ComparisonMaineHawaii
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed urban-rural political issuesFocus on indigenous rights and environmental issues
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with a notable non-religious populationDiverse: Christian majority with significant Buddhist and non-religious populations
  • Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse with a Christian majority and significant Buddhist and non-religious populations
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a notable non-religious population

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Hawaii

ComparisonMaineHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Bates College
Bowdoin College
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCape Elizabeth School
Falmouth Elementary
Yarmouth Schools
Mililani Mauka Elementary
Momilani Elementary
Noelani Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsYarmouth Middle School
Falmouth Middle School
Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Ewa Makai Middle School
Kaimuki Middle School
Iolani School
Top 3 High School SchoolsYarmouth High School
Falmouth High School
Cape Elizabeth High School
Iolani School
Punahou School
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School
Portland; John Bapst Memorial High School
Bangor; Hebron Academy
Hebron
Iolani School
Punahou School
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School
Portland; New School
Kennebunk; Hebron Academy
Hebron
Iolani School
Punahou School
Le Jardin Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth School Department
Yarmouth Schools
Cape Elizabeth Schools
Hawaii Department of Education
Kamehameha Schools
Mid-Pacific Institute

Top Maine to Hawaii Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

Best moving company overall for Maine to Hawaii

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Vacationland Moving featured image

Vacationland Moving

9.02/10
ALSO GREAT
Earle W Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists featured image

Earle W Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists

8.65/10
FabulousView details
Top Maine to Hawaii Routes

Portland to Hawaii