Washington to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Washington to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunny climate), food & health (like Apple vs Poke), real estate & housing (craftsman, contemporary vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Apple and Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Spam Musubi
- Hawaii's housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Hawaii is 48.73% more expensive than in Washington
- Our top recommended Washington to Hawaii movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Hawaii
- Rainy weather
- Expensive real estate
- Higher taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Gray skies
- Sunny climate
- Island lifestyle
- Lower sales tax
- Laid-back pace
- Ocean views
- Hurricane risk
- Lack of diversity
- Island isolation
- Limited services
- High cost of living
- Four seasons
- Tech job market
- Public transport
- Vibrant cities
- Festivals and arts
Pros of moving from Washington to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to sunny climate
- Look forward to moving away from expensive real estate and moving to Hawaii with island lifestyle
- Swap the higher taxes of Washington for lower sales tax in Hawaii
- Get ready for laid-back pace in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Washington to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Washington to live with hurricane risk in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of tech job market and have to settle for the con of lack of diversity
- Time to bid farewell to public transport and get used to island isolation in Hawaii
- Swap vibrant cities for limited services
Washington vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Apple | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Salmon | Spam Musubi |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Shave Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Tofu Poke |
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 Washington to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Apple of Washington for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Salmon and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Spam Musubi and Shave Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Poke of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and The Walrus and the Carpenter. 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, Matsumoto Shave Ice, and Leonard's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Hawaii
Comparison | Washington | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Contemporary | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, Tech-friendly | Beachfront, Views |
- The Craftsman and Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and tech-friendly features, Hawaii's real estate listings often highlight features like beachfront properties and views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Hawaii is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Hawaii is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Hawaii has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Hawaii's housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Hawaii is 48.73% more expensive than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Hawaii
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Tsunamis | Hurricanes, Flooding, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 37Β°F | 80Β°F / 68Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 78% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, flooding, and tsunamis in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 13 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer in Hawaii than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Hawaii
Comparison | Washington | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.98% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.9% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Technology, Agriculture | Tourism, Real Estate, Defense |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Severe |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 1% more than in Washington
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 59% higher than what you are used to living in Washington
- Bummer, by moving from WA to HI, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% - 11%
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Washington
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to moderate in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Washington and severe in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Washington | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic stronghold |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural, progressive in urban areas | Community-centered, environmental and indigenous rights significant |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated overall | Diverse; Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spirituality |
- Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as a Democratic stronghold
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous spirituality
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated overall
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Hawaii
Comparison | Washington | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington University | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah) Medina Elementary (Medina) Ben Rush Elementary (Redmond) | Mililani Mauka Elementary (Mililani) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Maemae Elementary School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Redmond Middle (Redmond) Pine Lake Middle (Sammamish) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu) |
Top 3 High Schools | International School (Bellevue) Newport Senior High (Bellevue) Tesla STEM High School (Redmond) | Punahou School (Honolulu) Iolani School (Honolulu) Moanalua High School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) The Bear Creek School (Redmond) Lakeside School (Seattle) | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Mid-Pacific Institute (Honolulu) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Bush School (Seattle) The Overlake School (Redmond) Charles Wright Academy (Tacoma) | Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) Punahou School (Honolulu) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mercer Island School District Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) |
Top Washington to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Hawaii