South Carolina to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a interstate move from South Carolina to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risk vs balmy weather), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial and ranch 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 Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 192% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Hawaii is 77.43% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Hawaii movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
South Carolina to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Hawaii
- Hurricane risk
- Limited public transport
- Southern summer heat
- Pollen allergies
- State income tax
- Balmy weather
- Efficient transportation
- Ocean breezes
- Floral fragrance
- No state income tax
- High housing costs
- Higher cost of living
- Natural wear on structures
- Geographic isolation
- Imported goods
- Affordable housing
- Close-knit communities
- Historic charm
- Seaside lifestyles
- Rich agriculture
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to hurricane risk and hello to balmy weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Hawaii with efficient transportation
- Swap the southern summer heat of South Carolina for ocean breezes in Hawaii
- Get ready for floral fragrance in Hawaii
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in South Carolina to live with high housing costs in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to natural wear on structures in Hawaii
- Swap seaside lifestyles for geographic isolation
South Carolina vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Taro Dishes |
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 South Carolina to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens 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 South Carolina eateries like Husk, Home Team BBQ, and Poogan's Porch. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Alan Wong's, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Leonard's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | South Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Ranch | Plantation and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic homes | Views, proximity to beaches |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and historic homes, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like views and proximity to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Hawaii housing costs are 192% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Hawaii is 77.43% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | South Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Volcanoes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Variable (Good to Moderate) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 85Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 40Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8 | 63.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 0 (except mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Carolina to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 29% more sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 5 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than those in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 13.9 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Hawaii
Comparison | South Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.5% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 44% more than in South Carolina
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 71% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in South Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Hawaii compared to moderate in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Hawaii
Comparison | South Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christian >50% | Diverse; Buddhism notable |
- South Carolina tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse with Buddhism being notable
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, over 50%
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Hawaii
Comparison | South Carolina | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Forestbrook Elementary School (Myrtle Beach) | Pauoa Elementary School (Honolulu) Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Marrington Middle School of the Arts (Goose Creek) Ocean Bay Middle School (Myrtle Beach) | Washington Middle School (Honolulu) Ewa Makai Middle School (Ewa Beach) Kaimuki Middle School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) Ashley Hall (Charleston) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Parker School (Waimea) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington School District One Fort Mill Schools Charleston County School District | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) |
Top South Carolina to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Hawaii