Movers

Missouri to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Missouri to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs year-round mild climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Luau Pork
  • Hawaii housing costs are 253% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Hawaii is 119.71% more expensive than in Missouri
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Hawaii movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Hawaii

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited beach access
  • Traditional cuisine
  • Expansive flatlands
  • Landlocked state
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Year-round mild climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Diverse culinary scene
  • Stunning landscapes and volcanoes
  • Island lifestyle

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • High living expenses
  • Potential isolation
  • Remote location
  • Lack of seasonal change
  • Year-round similar activities
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Lower cost of living
  • Strong local community
  • Central location
  • Four seasons
  • Variety of seasons activities

Pros of moving from Missouri to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a year-round mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to Hawaii with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the traditional cuisine of Missouri for a diverse culinary scene in Hawaii
  • Get ready for stunning landscapes and volcanoes in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Missouri to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Missouri to live with high living expenses in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a strong local community and have to settle with the con of potential isolation
  • Time to bid farewell to a central location and get used to a remote location in Hawaii
  • Swap four seasons for a lack of seasonal change

Missouri vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style pizzaPoke
Most popular meat dishKansas City barbecueLuau Pork
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichAΓ§aΓ­ Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Arthur Bryant's
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Aloha Mixed Plate
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 Missouri to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, 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 Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the AΓ§aΓ­ Bowl of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Arthur Bryant's, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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 Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Hawaii

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ColonialPlantation, 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 Colonial architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Missouri'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 Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 253% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 119.71% more expensive than in Missouri.

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

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
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, Severe ThunderstormsVolcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88/6785/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2378/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4263
Annual Snowfall (Inches)180 (except on mountain tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 32% more sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and hurricanes in Hawaii.
  • The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 40 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Hawaii

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
Avg. Household Income$64,811$92,458
Cost of Living Index91.8165.7
State Income Tax0% - 5.4%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax0.97%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax8.03%4.44%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Agriculture, ManufacturingTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 43% more than in Missouri
  • The COLI in Hawaii is 81% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in HI is 1.4% - 11% compared to 0% - 5.4% in MO
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
  • The poverty level is low in Hawaii compared to moderate poverty in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Hawaii

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative policies in rural areas, more liberal in urban centersLiberal policies, with a focus on environmental and indigenous rights
ReligionPredominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Baptists and Catholics <a href="https://mbch.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Missouri Baptist Convention</a>, Diocese of Springfield-Cape GirardeauDiverse religious landscape, including Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii
  • Missouri 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 a diverse religious landscape, including Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Baptists and Catholics from the Missouri Baptist Convention and the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Hawaii

ComparisonMissouriHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsConway Elementary (Ladue)
Wilson School (Clayton)
Mason Ridge Elementary (Town and Country)
Parkway Elementary (Kapolei)
Noelani Elementary (Honolulu)
Manoa Elementary (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School (Ladue)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
John Burroughs School (St. Louis)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Top 3 High School SchoolsClayton High School (Clayton)
Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Moanalua High School (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsPembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
John Burroughs School (St. Louis)
MICDS (St. Louis)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
MICDS (St. Louis)
The Barstow School (Kansas City)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District
Ladue School District
Parkway School District
Hawaii Department of Education (statewide)
Honolulu School District
Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area

Top Missouri to Hawaii Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Hawaii

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.31/10
ExceptionalView details

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