Pennsylvania to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Pennsylvania to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winter temperatures), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pittsburgh-style Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 228% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Hawaii is 97.62% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Hawaii movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Limited beach access
- Traffic congestion
- High property taxes
- Mild winter temperatures
- Stunning beaches
- Laid-back lifestyle
- No property tax
- Isolated location
- Fewer sports options
- Higher living costs
- Longer travel distances
- Rich history
- Local sports teams
- Vibrant arts scene
- Access to East Coast
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winter temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to Hawaii with stunning beaches
- Swap the traffic congestion of Pennsylvania for a laid-back lifestyle in Hawaii
- Get ready for no property tax in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Pennsylvania to live with an isolated location in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of local sports teams and have to settle for the con of fewer sports options
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant arts scene and get used to higher living costs in Hawaii
- Swap access to the East Coast for longer travel distances
Pennsylvania vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Pittsburgh-style Steak | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | 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 Pennsylvania to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh-style Steak and sumptuous Pretzels, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup 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 Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Primanti Bros., and Reading Terminal Market. 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 Aloha Mixed Plate.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Hawaii
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Garages, basements | Ocean views, sustainable features |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference garages and basements, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and sustainable features.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Hawaii is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Hawaii housing costs are 228% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Hawaii is 97.62% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Hawaii
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Floods | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 88/75 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/21 | 78/63 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 0 (except on high mountains) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 51% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows in Hawaii are 42 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Hawaii
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.35% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 29% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 66% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in HI is 1.4% to 11% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderate, Swing State | Liberal, Democratic Stronghold |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural political views | Strong local governance, emphasis on native rights |
Religion | Christian majority (Catholic and Protestant) | Diverse: Buddhist, Shinto, Christian |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean moderate, Swing State in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as a Liberal, Democratic Stronghold
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse: Buddhist, Shinto, and Christian
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority (Catholic and Protestant)
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Hawaii
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Penn State University Carnegie Mellon University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Masterman Julia R School - Philadelphia Ad Prima Charter School - Philadelphia Winchester Thurston School - Pittsburgh | Wilson Elementary School - Honolulu Nuuanu Elementary School - Honolulu Kaelepulu Elementary School - Kailua |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Masterman Julia R School - Philadelphia Radnor Middle School - Radnor Haverford Middle School - Havertown | Washington Middle School - Honolulu Ewa Makai Middle School - Ewa Beach Ilima Intermediate School - Ewa Beach |
Top 3 High School Schools | Conestoga Senior High School - Berwyn Masterman Julia R School - Philadelphia North Allegheny Senior High School - Wexford | President Theodore Roosevelt High School - Honolulu Moanalua High School - Honolulu Henry J Kaiser High School - Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School - Bryn Mawr Shady Side Academy - Pittsburgh The Haverford School - Haverford | Iolani School - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Agnes Irwin School - Rosemont Sewickley Academy - Sewickley Friends' Central School - Wynnewood | Le Jardin Academy - Kailua Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela Island Pacific Academy - Kapolei |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District North Allegheny School District | Hawaii Department of Education (one statewide district) |
Top Pennsylvania to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Hawaii