Montana to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Landlocked
- Limited diversity
- Isolation
- Short summer
- Warm beaches
- Ocean access
- Cultural variety
- Tourist attraction
- Year-round warmth
- Higher cost of living
- Higher taxes
- Congested roads
- Higher population density
- Tropical climate
- 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
Comparison | Montana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Montana Huckleberries | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Elk Burgers | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Wild rice and vegetable stew | Tofu poke |
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 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
Comparison | Montana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Rustic, Log Cabins | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain Views, Acreage | Ocean 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 Montanaβs $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
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Volcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 45Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 12Β°F | 78Β°F / 65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 0 |
- 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
Comparison | Montana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 6.9% | 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Significant |
- 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
Comparison | Montana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Mixed Urban/Rural Issues | Strong Indigenous Rights Focus |
Religion | Christian Majority | Multifaith 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
Comparison | Montana | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) | Punahou School (Honolulu) βIolani School (Honolulu) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) East Middle School (Great Falls) Washington Middle School (Missoula) | Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama Middle (Honolulu) βIolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) | βIolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Carroll College Preparatory (Helena) Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) | βIolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools KapΔlama High (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) | βIolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman 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.