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Rhode Island to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Rhode Island to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs year-round warmth), food & health (like Stuffies vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial and victorian vs plantation and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Stuffies and Grilled Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Spam Musubi
  • Hawaii housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in Hawaii is 40.88% more expensive than in Rhode Island
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to Hawaii movers is Two Men and a Truck

Rhode Island to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Hawaii

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited beaches
  • Small state size
  • High taxes
  • Low biodiversity
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Year-round warmth
  • Abundant beaches
  • Diverse landscapes
  • No sales tax
  • Rich biodiversity

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Isolation from mainland
  • Higher cost of living
  • Expensive imports
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Distance from family
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Close-knit communities
  • Historic landmarks
  • Local seafood
  • Cultural festivals
  • New England charm

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to year-round warmth
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to Hawaii with abundant beaches
  • Swap the small state size of Rhode Island for diverse landscapes in Hawaii
  • Get ready for no sales tax in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close-knit communities in Rhode Island to live with isolation from the mainland in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of historic landmarks and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to local seafood and get used to expensive imports in Hawaii
  • Swap cultural festivals for limited cultural diversity

Rhode Island vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
Most iconic local food itemStuffiesPoke
Most popular meat dishGrilled PizzaSpam Musubi
Most popular street food itemHot WienersShave Ice
Most popular vegan foodDelicata SquashTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Duke's Waikiki
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 Rhode Island to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Spam Musubi and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Delicata Squash they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Dishes of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Iggy's Doughboys, and Cassarino's. 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 Duke's Waikiki.

When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Hawaii

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial and VictorianPlantation and 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 listingProximity to beaches and historic charmOcean views and sustainable living features
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches and historic charm, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and sustainable living features.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Hawaii is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Hawaii is similarly bike-friendly to Rhode Island.
  • Hawaii has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 40.88% more expensive than in Rhode Island.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Hawaii

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
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 DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesVolcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVaries (Volcanic Areas Poor)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/63Β°F88Β°F/75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F/20Β°F80Β°F/68Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47"63" (Varies greatly by area)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33.8"0" (Except mountain tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 36% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in Rhode Island but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 6 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows in Hawaii are 48 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Hawaii

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
Avg. Household Income$81,854$92,458
Cost of Living Index123.3165.7
State Income Tax3.75% - 5.99%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax1.63%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax7%4%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, EducationTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateMixed
PovertyModerateNotable
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 13% more than in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 34% higher than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in HI is 1.4% - 11% compared to 3.75% - 5.99% in RI
  • The affluence in Hawaii is mixed compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is notable in Hawaii compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Hawaii

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsLocal governance tends to lean towards liberal policiesEmphasis on environmental and cultural preservation policies
ReligionCatholicism is prominentA diverse religious landscape including Buddhism and Christianity
  • Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape including Buddhism and Christianity
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholicism being prominent

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Hawaii

ComparisonRhode IslandHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Brown University
Rhode Island College
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary School (Bristol)
Hampden Meadows School (Barrington)
Community School (Cumberland)
Manoa Elementary School (Honolulu)
Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu)
Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle School (Barrington)
Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown)
Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical High School (Providence)
Barrington High School (Barrington)
East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich)
President Theodore Roosevelt High School (Honolulu)
President William McKinley High School (Honolulu)
Moanalua High School (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsLa Salle Academy (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMoses Brown School (Providence)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Lincoln School (Providence)
Le Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei)
Trinity Christian School (Kailua)
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington School District
East Greenwich Public Schools
Portsmouth School District
Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide)

Top Rhode Island to Hawaii Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Hawaii

8.29/10
Very GoodView details
RUNNER-UP
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very GoodView details
ALSO GREAT
Mint Moving and Cleaning Solutions LLC featured image

Mint Moving and Cleaning Solutions LLC

7.93/10
Top Rhode Island to Hawaii Routes

Providence to Hawaii