Texas to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Texas to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs moderate temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial 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 Brisket and Smoked Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pork
- Hawaii housing costs are 182% more expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Hawaii is 73.22% more expensive than in Texas
- Our top recommended Texas to Hawaii movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Hawaii
- Hot summers
- Flat terrain
- Heavy traffic
- Urban sprawl
- Moderate temperatures
- Scenic landscapes
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Beach access
- Higher living expenses
- Limited nightlife
- Fewer job openings
- Remote location
- Lower living costs
- Vibrant city life
- Job opportunities
- Central location
Pros of moving from Texas to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to moderate temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Hawaii with scenic landscapes
- Swap the heavy traffic of Texas for a relaxed lifestyle in Hawaii
- Get ready for beach access in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Texas to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower living costs in Texas to live with higher living expenses in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant city life and have to settle with the con of limited nightlife
- Time to bid farewell to job opportunities and get used to fewer job openings in Hawaii
- Swap a central location for a remote location
Texas vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Ribs | Kalua Pork |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Tex-Mex | Taro-based 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 Texas to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Smoked Ribs and sumptuous Tacos, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pork and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tex-Mex they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro-based dishes of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Killen's Barbecue, and Pecan Lodge. 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 Honolulu, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Ono Hawaiian Foods.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Hawaii
Comparison | Texas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Colonial | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, central air | Views, lanais |
- The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and central air, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like views and lanais.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Texas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Texas.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Texas.
- Hawaii housing costs are 182% more expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Hawaii is 73.22% more expensive than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Hawaii
Comparison | Texas | 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, Tornadoes | Volcanoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Variable | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F/72Β°F | 88Β°F/75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/38Β°F | 80Β°F/65Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 21-50 | 10-100+, varies significantly |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-15 | 0 (except for mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Texas to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 19% more sunshine days than Texas.
- Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and hurricanes in Hawaii.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 6 degrees colder than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 27 degrees warmer than those in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Hawaii
Comparison | Texas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.40% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.83% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.20% | 4.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tech | Tourism, Military Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Diverse | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Significant |
Homelessness | Manageable | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 28% more than in Texas
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 82% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... by moving from TX to HI, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.40% to 11%
- The affluence in Hawaii is modest compared to diverse affluence in Texas
- The poverty level is significant in Hawaii compared to moderate poverty in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Texas and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Texas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Strongly leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Local governance varies, with urban areas skewing more Democrat | Local politics heavily influenced by environmental and indigenous rights issues |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence | Multicultural religious landscape, with Buddhism and Shinto influences |
- Texas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a multicultural religious landscape, with Buddhism and Shinto influences
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Hawaii
Comparison | Texas | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas Texas A&M University of Houston | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Vanguard and Academy (Dallas) River Oaks Elementary (Houston) West University Elementary (Houston) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Mililani Mauka Elementary (Mililani) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | St. Markβs School of Texas (Dallas) Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (Denton) West Ridge Middle School (Austin) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Carnegie Vanguard High School (Houston) | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) Greenhill School (Addison) The Hockaday School (Dallas) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The John Cooper School (Woodlands) The Village School (Houston) Trinity Valley School (Fort Worth) | Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Parker School (Kamuela) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Southlake Carroll Independent School District Highland Park Independent School District | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide; no districts in the traditional sense as it operates as a single statewide district) |
Top Texas to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Hawaii