North Carolina to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a interstate move from North Carolina to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risk vs stable tropical climate), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern-style BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 161% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Hawaii is 69.29% more expensive than in North Carolina
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Hawaii movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Hawaii
- Hurricane risk
- Traffic congestion
- High pollen count
- Crowded urban areas
- Winter cold snaps
- Stable tropical climate
- Island lifestyle
- Clean ocean air
- Open beach access
- Year-round warmth
- High cost of living
- Limited local jobs
- Consistent climate
- Geographical isolation
- Island confinement
- Affordable housing
- Thriving job market
- Diverse seasons
- Rich cultural history
- Varied landscapes
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to hurricane risk and hello to a stable tropical climate
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Hawaii with an island lifestyle
- Swap the high pollen count of North Carolina for clean ocean air in Hawaii
- Get ready for open beach access in Hawaii
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in North Carolina to live with a high cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle for the con of limited local jobs
- Time to bid farewell to diverse seasons and get used to a consistent climate in Hawaii
- Swap a rich cultural history for geographical isolation
North Carolina vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern-style BBQ | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Sweet Potato | Tofu Poke |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 North Carolina to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern-style BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Potato 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 North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Allen & Son Bar-B-Que, and Beasleyβs Chicken + Honey. 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 Ono Seafood.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | North Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Ocean views, proximity to beaches |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings, which commonly reference large yards and garages, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Hawaii housing costs are 161% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Hawaii is 69.29% more expensive than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | North Carolina | 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-Moderate | Good-Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/67 | 85/70 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 78/63 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 0 (except mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Carolina to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 27% more sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 33 degrees warmer than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 13 more inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | North Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 8.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, finance, manufacturing | Tourism, military, agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Below average | Around average |
Homelessness | Managed | Widespread |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 37% more than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 73% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in HI is 8.25% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is around average in Hawaii compared to below average in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is managed in North Carolina and widespread in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Hawaii
Comparison | North Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans slightly conservative | Liberal, with strong Democratic leanings |
Local Politics | Varies by region, with urban areas more liberal and rural areas more conservative | Generally liberal across the islands, with environmental issues highly prioritized |
Religion | Christian majority, with a mix of Baptists, Methodists, and others | Diverse; large Buddhist and Shinto populations alongside Christians |
- North Carolina tends to lean mixed and slightly conservative in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as liberal with strong Democratic leanings
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse with large Buddhist and Shinto populations alongside Christians
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a mix of Baptists, Methodists, and others
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Hawaii
Comparison | North Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Polo Ridge Elementary (Charlotte) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Noah Webster Academy (Oahu) Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jay M. Robinson Middle (Charlotte) Bailey Middle (Cornelius) Community House Middle (Charlotte) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) NC School of Science and Math (Durham) | President Theodore Roosevelt High School (Honolulu) President William McKinley High School (Honolulu) Kalani High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Providence Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Hanalani Schools (Mililani) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Watauga County Schools Union County Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top North Carolina to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Hawaii