Should I Move to Hawaii? 12 Pros & Cons to Help You Decide

Last edited: 5/15/2024 

Thousands of people move to Hawaii every year. Although it’s a more complex transition than a relocation on the mainland, moving to Hawaii offers plentiful rewards: beautiful weather year-round, easy access to miles of gorgeous white sand beaches, abundant outdoor activities, and, of course, Hawaii’s unique aloha spirit that infuses the local culture.  

However, living on a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean isn’t for everyone. Although the Hawaiian Islands have plenty to offer its residents, there are also trade-offs to living on an isolated archipelago. Additionally, what might be right for one family may feel wrong to another.

To help you decide whether you should move to Hawaii, we’ll give you:

1. A quick tour through what makes living in Hawaii different than practically everywhere else, including the mainland. (We’ll talk pros and cons!)
2. A few tips for choosing the right island for you—Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island.
3. One simple strategy to help you avoid making the wrong move, one that could cost you thousands.

Let’s start by understanding the ins and outs of Hawaii life.

What Makes Hawaii Different? 12 Pros and Cons to Consider

Living in Hawaii is like living nowhere else in the world.

We could probably talk story about Hawaii life all day long. For this article, we’ve boiled everything down to the key pros and cons to living in the Aloha State. They’ll give you a sense of what it’s really like to live in Hawaii—and whether moving to Hawaii is the right decision for you.

#1: Awe-Inspiring Natural Beauty

White sand beaches. Swaying palm trees. Cascading waterfalls. Towering cliffs. Turquoise waters. Dormant and active volcanoes. Lush rainforests.

Living in Hawaii gives you the opportunity to live in a literal tropical paradise. It really is the kind of place where you can throw an avocado pit out the window and find that it’s grown into a tree all on its own.

If you’re someone with a deep appreciation for nature, you’ll find plenty to marvel at in Hawaii. Add to that the incredible variety of flora and fauna—including giant turtles, monk seals, tropical fish, humpback whales, and more—and you’re guaranteed a moment of awe just about every day you live in Hawaii.

Are you the kind of person whose happiness hinges on your environment? If so, you’ll love living in Hawaii.

#2: High Housing & Utility Costs

Although Hawaii’s property taxes are among the lowest in the U.S., the cost of housing in Hawaii is high across the board:

Average Home Values in Hawaii

Oahu

Maui

Kauai

Big Island

(Source: Zillow) 

Compare these numbers to the area you currently live in—or the other mainland locations below—to get a sense of how the price of housing in Hawaii stacks up:

Average Home Values in Mainland Destinations

Seattle, WA

Los Angeles, CA

Dallas, TX

Las Vegas, NV

(Source: Zillow)

Where rentals are concerned, the fair market rents for each of Hawaii’s islands will give you a sense of how much you’ll need to budget. Keep in mind that fair market rents represent the 40th percentile of gross rents. In other words, 40% of rents will be less than what you’ll see below, and 60% will be higher: 

Fair Market Rents in Hawaii

1-bedroom apartments

Oahu

Maui

Kauai

Big Island

(Source: HUDuser.gov)

If you’re coming from a high-cost-of-living area like Los Angeles (Fair market rent: $2,006), the prices in Hawaii may not seem that high. However, if you’re moving from Houston (Fair market rent: $712), Hawaii housing prices will feel steep.

Hawaii residents also pay a lot for utilities. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the retail price for energy in Hawaii is 43.93 cents/kWh, the highest in the U.S. As a result, many residents have turned to solar energy to power their homes and their cars. (You’ll see a lot of hybrid and electric cars in the Hawaiian Islands!)

As you’re deciding whether or not to move to Hawaii, budget for these big expenses when you’re running the numbers.

#3: Life in and Around the Water

One of the major perks of living in Hawaii is the fact that you’re never far from the ocean. If you’re the kind of person who loves being in, near, and around the water, you’ll love living in Hawaii.

Hawaii is also unusually well-suited for all types of watersports. Some places are great for sailing and snorkeling but never seem to have great waves. You’ll find it all in Hawaii: surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, foiling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, traditional canoe paddling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, sailing, and more. It’s a veritable watersports paradise.

And, if you’re the type of person who prefers to simply spectate, you’ll find plenty of postcard-perfect beaches to enjoy! Grab a beach chair, set up, and soak it all in.

#4: Job Availability & Wages

Tourism is the biggest industry in Hawaii, so you’ll find plenty of jobs in businesses supporting the industry, including hospitality, retail, and food/beverage. In fact, it’s estimated that the tourism industry supports more than 200,000 jobs in Hawaii.

If you want to broaden your search beyond the tourism industry, consider looking for a job in one of Hawaii’s other popular job sectors:

• Real estate sales and rentals
• Healthcare and social assistance
• Transportation and warehousing
• Finance and insurance
• Government

The real challenge in Hawaii isn’t finding a job, though. It’s finding a job that pays the bills. Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the country, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). However, if you look at Hawaii’s mean and median wages as compared to the U.S. overall, you won’t see a huge bump. This can make covering your costs in Hawaii challenging, and many people hold down multiple jobs to make it work.

Mean/Median Wages

All Occupations

Can I Move to Hawaii Without a Job?

If you don’t have a job offer before moving to Hawaii, don’t panic. Many employers don’t even want to interview potential employees until they’ve successfully made the move.

Hit the ground running when you arrive. Leverage any friends, family members, and contacts you have on-island to help you get a foot in the door, and you’ll likely find something fairly quickly. Your first job might not be your forever job, but it will help you get established.

A lot of positions in Hawaii get filled through word of mouth—and by friends of friends. Keep your ears open for the kind of work you’re looking for, and don’t underestimate the power of who you know. If you’ve got a good attitude, reliable transportation, and a solid work ethic, you’ll do well.

#5: The Laid-Back Lifestyle

“Island time” is not a myth. Things in Hawaii move at their own pace. That goes for the grocery store, the post office, the DMV, that job application you put in last week, etc. Any efforts to rush things along will likely only slow the process further.

Some people delight in the relaxed, easy pace of island life. If you fall into this group, you’ll love living in Hawaii. A dose of patience and a dash of kindness will serve you well in these islands, and they can even add some pleasure to even the most mundane of tasks—like mailing a package to the mainland.

If you thrive on a fast-paced existence and long to show those island-dwellers how it’s “really done” on the mainland, you’ll probably find that Hawaii isn’t a good fit for you. Going with the flow in Hawaii has its rewards. If that’s not the way you operate, you may want to reconsider the move.

#6: Your Grocery Budget

Almost all the agricultural products in Hawaii are imported, which means your grocery bill will be higher than you’re used to on the mainland. In fact, a report from MERIC ranked Hawaii’s groceries the most expensive in the nation.

The longer you live in Hawaii, the better you’ll get at stretching your grocery dollar further by:

• Finding the local produce stands that offer the best deals
• Jumping on the weekly sales at Safeway and Foodland
• Navigating Costco like a pro and using every available inch of your freezer space
• Sharing the bounty of your avocado tree with your neighbor, knowing they’ll do the same when their mango tree goes off

#7: Incredible Weather and Diverse Microclimates

If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving winter behind for good, you’ll thrive in Hawaii.

Hawaii Average Temperatures

at Sea Level

Summer

Winter

(Source)

No more winter coats. No more shoveling snow. And no need to wear closed-toe shoes—unless you want to! At the most, you might need a light jacket or a sweater for Hawaii’s cooler nights.

You’ll also find a wide range of microclimates in Hawaii. These create some small, but crucial, environmental differences:

• Love cooler breezes and brisk nights? Try a higher-elevation existence on the slopes of one of Hawaii’s dormant volcanoes in a place like Kula on Maui or Waimea on the Big Island.

• Want to live in the middle of a lush rainforest, with plenty of precipitation to keep your surroundings green and gorgeous? Check out Hilo on the Big Island or Princeville in Kauai.

• Can’t wait to soak up that hot, sunny Hawaii weather for all it’s worth? Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, Poipu on Kauai, Kihei on Maui, or a condo in Honolulu on Oahu.

#8: The Quality of Education

The most recent state educational rankings from U.S. News & World Report placed Hawaii the lower-middle of the pack—#32 out of the 50 U.S. states. If you’re moving with kids, consider whether you’ll take advantage of Hawaii’s public-school systems or put your children in private school. Your decision will strongly impact your family’s budget—among other factors.

Start with some research on Hawaii’s statewide public school district website. You may also want to investigate your options for private schools in Hawaii. If you’re thinking about homeschooling—an option many Hawaii families choose—check out the Hawaii public school guide to homeschooling.

#9: Crime Rates

Is Hawaii Safe?

To answer this question, we turned to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer to compare the national rates for violent crimes and property crimes to those in Hawaii.

Here’s the good news: You’re less likely to be the victim of a violent crime in Hawaii. Hawaii’s violent crime rate per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average.

Violent Crimes

Rate per 100,000 People, per Year

State of Hawaii

U.S. Overall

Source: 2022 FBI Data 

However, you may be more likely to be the victim of a property crime. (Property crimes include offenses like arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.) Hawaii residents experience more property crimes than the national average. 

Property Crimes

Rate per 100,000 People, per Year

State of Hawaii

U.S. Overall

Source: 2022 FBI Data

Tip from the Pros: Smash-and-grabs are unfortunately common here in Hawaii, so never leave anything visible in your car. Ideally, avoid leaving valuables like phones and wallets in your car, period. Same with leaving items on the beach unattended. A little situational awareness and prior preparation will prevent a number of property crimes. 

However, Hawaii’s crime rates may still be something you want to factor in when deciding on your move. 

#10: Distance from Friends and Family

Hawaii’s isolation in the Pacific has given it a unique ecosystem with flora and fauna you won’t find anywhere else. However, this isolation also means that you’ll have to invest more time and money to visit your friends and family:

• The cost of plane tickets to and from Hawaii can be much more expensive than the cost of traveling between states on the mainland. Stay flexible on your dates and use tools like Kayak and Google Flights to find good deals. Flying mid-week and avoiding popular holidays can also save you a bundle. Oh, and make sure you give yourself time to adjust from that jet lag! Some Hawaii residents swear by melatonin to help them acclimatize quickly.

• Speaking of jet lag, you’ll also need to become a master at calculating time changes. Hawaii operates on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) all year round. In other words, there’s no Daylight Saving Time in Hawaii. This means you’ll be between two and three hours behind friends on the West Coast and five and six hours between friends on the East Coast.

Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST)

Difference from Pacific Standard Time (PST)

-2 hours

(ex: 7:00 am HST is 9:00 am PST)

Difference from Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

-3 hours

(ex: 7:00 am HST is 10:00 am PDT)

Difference from Eastern Standard Time (EST)

-5 hours

(ex: 7:00 am HST is 12:00 pm EST)

Difference from Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

-5 hours

(ex: 7:00 am HST is 1:00 pm EDT)

If you’re leaving friends and family on the mainland when you move to Hawaii, make sure you budget the cost of visiting—and consider the time and effort to navigate different time zones and stay in close touch.

#11: Bringing Your Pets

Recent updates to quarantine procedures have made it easier than ever to bring your pet to Hawaii. Check out our complete guide to moving your dogs, cats, and other pets to Hawaii to get all the details.

Keep in mind: Large dogs will need to fly in cargo, and options are limited. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines will be your best bets for getting your pets to Hawaii.

There are also a few types of pets that aren’t allowed in the Aloha State at all, including wolf-dog crossbreeds, snakes, porcupines, hamsters, geckos, and more. Make sure you check with the Plant Industry Division if you have questions to ensure that your whole family—pets included—can make the move.

#12: Hawaii’s Culture and History

Moving to Hawaii means moving to an island with a unique, rich culture—and a complicated history.

It’s important to understand this history—and the perspectives of Hawaii’s original inhabitants, the native Hawaiians—before you decide to relocate.

We suggest doing some research to appreciate the culture and respect the history of the people you’ll meet in Hawaii today.

To get started, check out these articles:

• Respect the Culture: Dos and Don’ts When You’re in Hawaii

• A Brief History of the Hawaiian Islands

• The Fascinating History and Meaning of Hula in Hawaiian Culture

• 12 Hawaii Traditions That Make Hawaii’s Culture Truly Unique

Within these articles, you’ll also find our recommendations for digging even deeper on the history and culture of Hawaii.

By approaching this topic with genuine curiosity and interest, you’ll get a much better sense of the culture and history of the people of Hawaii, as well as whether the Hawaiian Islands are the right place for you.

Once you give your Hawaii move the green light, your next step will be to pick the island you want to call home.

What’s the Right Hawaiian Island for You?

There are six inhabited Hawaiian Islands. The majority of the population lives on the four larger islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (a.k.a. the Big Island), and Kauai. Molokai and Lanai are much smaller and much less populated.

Each island has its own particular vibe. So how do you know which one is right for you? To help you find the right island for you, we’ll give you a run down in our article: “What’s the Best Hawaiian Island to Live on, and Why?”

You’ll discover the features that make each island unique so you can pick the one that suits you best. However, the best way to know is to go. That’s why we recommend you spend some time in Hawaii before taking the plunge. We’ll discuss that next.

What Is It Really Like to Live in Hawaii? The Pre-Move Visit

When you’re moving to a place that’s radically different from your current one, it’s smart to test it out before packing all your possessions into a container. We recommend you come out to your Hawaiian island of choice for a few weeks, or even a month, and do a trial run.

The most important part of this trip is to live like a local. Get a condo with a kitchen, rent a car, and see what it’s like to live in Hawaii. Of course, feel free to enjoy all the wonderful things you enjoyed as a tourist, but also make sure to:

• Get a place with a kitchen, go grocery shopping, and cook a few meals.
• Drive around during rush hour so you know what day-to-day life is like.
• Go to the bank and talk to someone about opening an account.
• If you have children, make some time to visit the schools they might attend.
• Look at apartments so you have an idea of what’s available and how much they will cost.
• Look atBrowse a few car listings so you can decide whether to ship your car to Hawaii or buy on island.
• Use the opportunity to take a local flight to your second-choice island, just to see if the vibe suits you better. (With Hawaiian, Southwest and Mokulele offering inter-island flights, it’s easy to island hop, even at the last minute!)

Once you get into the rhythm of local living, you’ll know pretty quickly whether Hawaii life is for you. And if you realize that the Hawaii of your dreams isn’t the Hawaii of your reality, your test run can save you thousands of dollars in moving costs.