North Dakota to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a interstate move from North Dakota to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm year-round), food & health (like Lefse vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch vs plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 239% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Hawaii is 187.31% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Hawaii movers is Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor activities
- Low cultural diversity
- Few entertainment options
- Landlocked
- Warm year-round
- Beaches and surfing
- Rich cultural mix
- Vibrant nightlife
- Ocean views
- High cost of living
- Tourist-heavy
- High population density
- Transient population
- Fewer seasonal changes
- Low cost of living
- Quiet atmosphere
- Low population density
- Strong sense of community
- Seasonal beauty
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to warm year-round
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Hawaii with beaches and surfing
- Swap the low cultural diversity of North Dakota for a rich cultural mix in Hawaii
- Get ready for vibrant nightlife in Hawaii
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in North Dakota to live with the high cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet atmosphere and have to settle with the con of being tourist-heavy
- Time to bid farewell to low population density and get used to high population density in Hawaii
- Swap a strong sense of community for a transient population
North Dakota vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla soup | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Wild rice dishes | Acai bowl |
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 North Dakota to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Knoephla soup, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild rice dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Acai bowl of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, HoDo Restaurant, and The Pitchfork Steak Fondue. 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 Mama's Fish House.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Hawaii
Comparison | North Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Plantation |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, accessibility to highways | Ocean views, proximity to beaches |
- The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Plantation architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and accessibility to highways, 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 Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Hawaii housing costs are 239% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased 38% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Hawaii is 187.31% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Hawaii
Comparison | North Dakota | 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 | Blizzards, Floods | Hurricanes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 85Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17.77" | 63.70" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46" | 0" (except mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 35% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota and be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 63 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 45.9 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Hawaii
Comparison | North Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 2.90% | 11.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.99% | 0.27% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.96% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Technology | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 28% more than those in North Dakota
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 74% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in HI is 11.00% compared to 2.90% in ND
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Hawaii
Comparison | North Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christianity Predominant | Multicultural and Diverse Beliefs |
- North Dakota 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 multicultural and diverse beliefs
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Hawaii
Comparison | North Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson) Centennial Elementary (Fargo) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Aina Haina Elementary (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Fargo South High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) | President Theodore Roosevelt High School (Honolulu) Henry J. Kaiser High School (Honolulu) Kalani High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Minot's Bishop Ryan Catholic School (Minot) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide district) Kamehameha Schools (private trust) Punahou School (private nonprofit) |
Top North Dakota to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Hawaii