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Pennsylvania to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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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

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited beach access
  • Traffic congestion
  • High property taxes
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Mild winter temperatures
  • Stunning beaches
  • Laid-back lifestyle
  • No property tax

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Isolated location
  • Fewer sports options
  • Higher living costs
  • Longer travel distances
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • 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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakPoke
Most popular meat dishPittsburgh-style SteakKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemPretzelsShave Ice
Most popular vegan foodMushroom SoupAcai Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zahav
  • Primanti Bros.
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Aloha Mixed Plate
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodPlantation, 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 listingGarages, basementsOcean 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 Pennsylvania’s $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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
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 DisastersSnowstorms, FloodsVolcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6288/75
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37/2178/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4263
Annual Snowfall (Inches)380 (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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$71,798$92,458
Cost of Living Index99.7165.7
State Income Tax3.07%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax1.35%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax6%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, EducationTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • 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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
Political Make-upModerate, Swing StateLiberal, Democratic Stronghold
Local PoliticsMixed urban/rural political viewsStrong local governance, emphasis on native rights
ReligionChristian 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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaHawaii
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 SchoolsMasterman 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 SchoolsMasterman 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 SchoolsConestoga 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsTredyffrin-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.

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Hawaii

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC featured image

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

Philadelphia to Hawaii

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