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North Carolina to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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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

ConsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Hurricane risk
  • Traffic congestion
  • High pollen count
  • Crowded urban areas
  • Winter cold snaps
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Stable tropical climate
  • Island lifestyle
  • Clean ocean air
  • Open beach access
  • Year-round warmth

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Limited local jobs
  • Consistent climate
  • Geographical isolation
  • Island confinement
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • 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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemPulled Pork BBQPoke
Most popular meat dishEastern-style BBQKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsShave Ice
Most popular vegan foodSweet PotatoTofu Poke
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
  • Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Ono Seafood
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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 Beasley’s 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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanPlantation, 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 listingLarge yards, garagesOcean 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 Carolina’s $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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesVolcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis
Air QualityGood-ModerateGood-Very Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88/6785/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50/3078/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5063
Annual Snowfall (Inches)40 (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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$67,481$92,458
Cost of Living Index95.85165.7
State Income Tax5.25%8.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.84%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax6.98%4.44%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, finance, manufacturingTourism, military, agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyBelow averageAround average
HomelessnessManagedWidespread
  • 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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly conservativeLiberal, with strong Democratic leanings
Local PoliticsVaries by region, with urban areas more liberal and rural areas more conservativeGenerally liberal across the islands, with environmental issues highly prioritized
ReligionChristian majority, with a mix of Baptists, Methodists, and othersDiverse; 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

ComparisonNorth CarolinaHawaii
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 SchoolsMorrisville Elementary (Morrisville)
Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte)
Polo Ridge Elementary (Charlotte)
Manoa Elementary (Honolulu)
Noah Webster Academy (Oahu)
Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJay 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 SchoolsEarly 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 schoolsCharlotte 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 schoolsProvidence 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 DistrictsChapel 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.

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Hawaii

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Raleigh Moving Company featured image

Raleigh Moving Company

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details

Charlotte to Hawaii

Raleigh to Hawaii

Greensboro to Hawaii

Durham to Hawaii

Winston-Salem to Hawaii

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Cary to Hawaii