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Montana to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Montana to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm beaches), food & health (like Montana Huckleberries vs Poke), real estate & housing (rustic, log cabins vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Montana Huckleberries and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
  • Hawaii housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in Hawaii is 108.08% more expensive than in Montana
  • Our top recommended Montana to Hawaii movers is Moving On Up

Montana to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Hawaii

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • Landlocked
  • Limited diversity
  • Isolation
  • Short summer
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm beaches
  • Ocean access
  • Cultural variety
  • Tourist attraction
  • Year-round warmth

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Higher taxes
  • Congested roads
  • Higher population density
  • Tropical climate
Montana iconMontana
  • Open landscapes
  • Lower taxes
  • Less traffic
  • Quiet lifestyle
  • Four seasons

Pros of moving from Montana to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to warm beaches
  • Look forward to moving away from landlocked and moving to Hawaii with ocean access
  • Swap the limited diversity of Montana for cultural variety in Hawaii
  • Get ready for tourist attractions in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Montana to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from open landscapes in Montana to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lower taxes and have to settle for the con of higher taxes
  • Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to congested roads in Hawaii
  • Swap a quiet lifestyle for a higher population density

Montana vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemMontana HuckleberriesPoke
Most popular meat dishBison steakKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemElk BurgersSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodWild rice and vegetable stewTofu poke
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Montana Rib & Chop House
  • The S.O.B. Smokehouse
  • Loula's Cafe
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Marukame Udon
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 Montana to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Montana Huckleberries of Montana for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Elk Burgers, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild rice and vegetable stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu poke of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like Montana Rib and Chop House, The S.O.B. Smokehouse, and Loula's Cafe. 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 Marukame Udon.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Hawaii

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleRustic, Log CabinsPlantation, 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 listingMountain Views, AcreageOcean View, Proximity to Beach
  • The Rustic and Log Cabins architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and acreage, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to the beach.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 108.08% more expensive than in Montana.

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

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
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 DisastersWildfires, FloodsVolcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 45Β°F88Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)28Β°F / 12Β°F78Β°F / 65Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1563
Annual Snowfall (Inches)480
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 32% more sunshine days than Montana.
  • Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, 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 8 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows in Hawaii are 53 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 48 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Hawaii

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$67,631$92,458
Cost of Living Index99.4165.7
State Income Tax6.9%11%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax0%4%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, MiningTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowSignificant
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 37% more than those in Montana
  • The COLI in Hawaii is 67% higher than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Montana
  • The poverty level is low in Hawaii compared to moderate poverty in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and significant in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Hawaii

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsMixed Urban/Rural IssuesStrong Indigenous Rights Focus
ReligionChristian MajorityMultifaith with Strong Asian Influence
  • Montana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as multifaith with strong Asian influence
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Hawaii

ComparisonMontanaHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Montana State University
University of Montana
Carroll College
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
β€˜Iolani School (Honolulu)
Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
East Middle School (Great Falls)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle (Honolulu)
β€˜Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Top 3 High SchoolsBozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
β€˜Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsCarroll College Preparatory (Helena)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman)
β€˜Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama High (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPetra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell)
β€˜Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela)
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide)
Kamehameha Schools (Private
statewide)
Le Jardin Academy School District (Kailua)

Top Montana to Hawaii Movers

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

TOP PICK
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

Best moving company overall for Montana to Hawaii

8.79/10
RUNNER-UP
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
A Team Moving and Storage featured image

A Team Moving and Storage

8.29/10
Very GoodView details
Top Montana to Hawaii Routes

Billings to Hawaii