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Tennessee to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Tennessee to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs ocean breezes), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Poke), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pork
  • Hawaii housing costs are 170% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Hawaii is 74.43% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Hawaii movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Tennessee to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Hawaii

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Humid summers
  • Limited beach access
  • Fewer outdoor activities
  • Landlocked
  • Severe storms
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Ocean breezes
  • Beautiful coastlines
  • Endless outdoor adventures
  • Tropical islands
  • Consistent weather

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • High living expenses
  • Less seasonal variety
  • Active volcanoes
  • Isolated location
  • Limited space
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Low cost of living
  • Four seasons
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Strong local communities
  • Varied landscapes

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to ocean breezes
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to Hawaii with beautiful coastlines
  • Swap the fewer outdoor activities of Tennessee for endless outdoor adventures in Hawaii
  • Get ready for tropical islands in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Tennessee to live with high living expenses in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of four seasons and have to settle for the con of less seasonal variety
  • Time to bid farewell to rich cultural heritage and get used to active volcanoes in Hawaii
  • Swap strong local communities for an isolated location

Tennessee vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsPoke
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenKalua Pork
Most popular street food itemGourmet Hot DogsSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitAcai Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena’s Hawaiian Food
  • Ono Hawaiian Foods
  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
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 Tennessee to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Tennessee for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Gourmet Hot Dogs, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pork and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Tennessee eateries like Pancake Pantry, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, and Jack’s Bar-B-Que. 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, Ono Hawaiian Foods, and Matsumoto’s Shave Ice.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Hawaii

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPlantation, 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 listingSpacious yards, proximity to natureOcean views, outdoor living spaces
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and outdoor living spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 170% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 74.43% more expensive than in Tennessee.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Hawaii

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
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 DisastersTornados, FloodsVolcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodExcellent
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6785/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3078/63
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5463
Annual Snowfall (Inches)50
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 31% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 4 degrees colder than Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 33 degrees warmer than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Hawaii

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
Avg. Household Income$65,254$92,458
Cost of Living Index88.9165.7
State Income Tax0%1.4%-11%
Avg. Property Tax0.64%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax9.55%4.44%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, Health CareTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 42% more than those in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 86% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer, by moving from TN to HI, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% to 11%
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low poverty in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Tennessee and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Hawaii

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
Political Make-upConservatively inclinedLiberally inclined
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominated state governmentDemocrat-dominated state government
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a significant presence of Baptist and Methodist communitiesDiverse, with a mix of Shinto, Buddhism alongside Christianity
  • Tennessee tends to lean conservatively inclined in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as liberally inclined
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a mix of Shinto and Buddhism alongside Christianity
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant presence of Baptist and Methodist communities

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Hawaii

ComparisonTennesseeHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Belmont University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLockeland Elementary (Nashville)
Scales Elementary (Brentwood)
Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville)
Puu Kukui Elementary (Wailuku)
Momilani Elementary (Pearl City)
Maemae Elementary (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle (Brentwood)
Meigs Magnet Middle (Nashville)
West End Middle (Nashville)
Waikiki Elementary (Honolulu)
Kaimuki Middle (Honolulu)
Ewa Makai Middle (Ewa Beach)
Top 3 High School SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic (Nashville)
MLK Jr. Magnet (Nashville)
Central Magnet (Murfreesboro)
President Theodore Roosevelt High (Honolulu)
Henry J. Kaiser High (Honolulu)
Kalani High (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
Harpeth Hall School (Nashville)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWebb School (Bell Buckle)
Franklin Road Academy (Nashville)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Le Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei)
Trinity Christian School (Kailua)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge City Schools
Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide)

Top Tennessee to Hawaii Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Hawaii

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Rice's Professional Moving Service featured image

Rice's Professional Moving Service

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details

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