Mississippi to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Mississippi to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs ocean breezes), food & health (like Catfish vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs plantation style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Catfish and Barbecue ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 381% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
- Rent in Hawaii is 114.19% more expensive than in Mississippi
- Our top recommended Mississippi to Hawaii movers is MoveMint - Pack & Move
Mississippi to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Hawaii
- High Humidity
- Limited Job Opportunities
- Severe Weather
- Farmland Scenery
- Ocean Breezes
- Diverse Economy
- Mild Climate
- Beach Landscapes
- High Cost of Living
- Tourist Crowds
- Higher Taxes
- Expensive Housing
- Low Cost of Living
- Southern Hospitality
- Rich History
- Quiet Neighborhoods
Pros of moving from Mississippi to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to ocean breezes
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Hawaii with a diverse economy
- Swap the severe weather of Mississippi for a mild climate in Hawaii
- Get ready for beach landscapes in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Mississippi to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Mississippi to live with the high cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle for the con of tourist crowds
- Time to bid farewell to a rich history and get used to higher taxes in Hawaii
- Swap quiet neighborhoods for expensive housing
Mississippi vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Mississippi | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue ribs | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Okra gumbo | Lomi-Lomi Salmon (vegan versions available) |
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 Mississippi to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lomi-Lomi Salmon (vegan versions available) of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like Doe's Eat Place, The Big Easy Grill and Bar, and City Grocery. 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, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Hukilau Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Hawaii
Comparison | Mississippi | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | Plantation Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, privacy | Ocean views, outdoor living |
- The Colonial Revival architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Plantation Style architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and privacy, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Mississippi.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
- Hawaii housing costs are 381% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Mississippiβs $178,490.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
- Rent in Hawaii is 114.19% more expensive than in Mississippi.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and Hawaii
Comparison | Mississippi | 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, Tornadoes | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 70Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55Β°F / 34Β°F | 80Β°F / 65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 59" | 63" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Mississippi to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 28% more sunshine days than Mississippi.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Mississippi.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
- The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer than they are in Mississippi.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Mississippi.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Hawaii
Comparison | Mississippi | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 0.3% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Affluent |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 75% more than in Mississippi
- The COLI in Hawaii is 80% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
- The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 5% in MS
- The affluence in Hawaii is affluent compared to modest in Mississippi
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to high in Mississippi
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Mississippi | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican dominance | Democratic dominance |
Religion | Protestant majority | Multireligious, with a significant Buddhist presence |
- Mississippi tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as multireligious, with a significant Buddhist presence
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Hawaii
Comparison | Mississippi | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Upper Elementary (Madison) Davis Magnet School (Jackson) Madison Station Elementary (Madison) | Punahou School (Honolulu) Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School (Madison) Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood) Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) Madison Central High School (Madison) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Saint Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Academy (Columbus) Jackson Academy (Jackson) French Camp Academy (French Camp) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls (Honolulu) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County Schools Ocean Springs School District Clinton Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top Mississippi to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
MoveMint - Pack & Move
Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Hawaii