Moving to Hawaii: Complete Moving Guide 2024

By: Tommy Loutzenheiser Last Updated: Jun 19, 2024

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If you're considering a move to Hawaii, you're not alone. With its beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and laid-back lifestyle, it's no wonder that many people dream of calling Hawaii home. But before you make the move, there are a few things you should know.


Moving to Hawaii: Complete Moving Guide 2024

Hawaii is a beautiful place to live with its beaches, evergreen landscapes, and laid-back lifestyle. Who wouldn’t want to move there?

Before making the move to Hawaii, there are a few things you should know. Keep reading to find out.


A little Bit About Hawaii

For those who don’t know the order in which the states became states, Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States. Hawaii is an island in the Pacific Ocean, and it is made up of a chain of islands. The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu, and it has a population of 1.4 million.

So why do people move to Hawaii? Living there is a dream for many due to the island’s gorgeous weather all year round, outdoor activities, vast jungles, stunning sunsets, outstanding waterfalls, beautiful beaches, and the rich Native Hawaiian culture.

Hawaii is an American island paradise, but keep in mind the cost of living can be very high and moving there can be a challenge.


The Cost Of Moving To Hawaii

The cost of moving to Hawaii can range from a few hundred dollars if you are shipping a few items through the United Postal Service to over $15,000 for a full-service move.

Your move will be somewhere in the middle on average, and you’ll have the option to customize a moving solution that best fits your needs.


The Different Shipping Methods

There are many different shipping methods for moving your belongings to Hawaii including by ship, moving container, air, and mail.

1. By Ship

This is the most popular method. It can cost around $1,000 for a small studio apartment to $15,000 or more for a large multi-room home.

Full-service moving companies that handle overseas moves are called freight forwarders. Many freight forwarders offer multiple services, which are listed below.

  • Door-to-door: The moving company will pick up your belongings from your home and deliver them to your new home.
  • Door-to-port: The company will pick up your belongings from your home but deliver the container to the port nearest to you. You are responsible for getting your belongings delivered from the port to your new home.
  • Port-to-port: The company picks up your container from one port and delivers it to another. You are responsible for getting your belongings to the port and delivering it to your new home.

2. By Moving Container

This move costs around $3,000 but can cost more depending on how many items you are shipping and where you are shipping from. Shipping a moving container is cheaper than using a full-service ocean freight, and there are multiple container sizes to fit most needs.

3. By Air

Shipping all your belongings by air to Hawaii can range from a few hundred dollars for small parcels to a couple thousand dollars depending on what moving company you are using, where you are moving to, how much you are shipping, and how quickly you need your items.

Although this shipping option is more expensive, your items will receive your items in a few days, making this the quickest shipping option.

4. By Mail

This option is best if you have very few items to ship. The cost depends on a few factors. For example, if you are shipping a few boxes and priority delivery isn’t necessary, the cost can be a couple hundred dollars.

The best thing about using the United Postal Service is you can pay extra for expedited shipping if you need your items fast, or you can choose for longer transit times to save a few bucks.


Our Most Recommended Long-Distance Movers in Hawaii

If you’re looking for a reputable long distance movers to help you with your move to Hawaii, we recommend the following:

BEST OVERALL

4.9


Moving APT

  • Professionalism
  • Great customer service
  • Affordable rates
Get a Quote 800-360-0037 Read review

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS

4.4


Native Van Lines

  • Highly professional
  • No hidden fees
  • Budget-friendly pricing
Get a Quote 888-809-1249 Read review

BEST FOR LONG DISTANCE

4.7


Adams Van Lines

  • 500 local agents
  • Binding prices
  • Customized services
Get a Quote 855-254-0416 Read review

What To Know About Hawaii

The cost of living is higher on a national average, due to it being an island, it being more expensive to ship goods, and high service demands. With the cost of living being higher, expect housing to be on the higher side.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,500, and the average home is around $900,000.

Studies have shown that to live in the capital city Honolulu, residents need to have $200,000+ in income to live a comfortable life. Electricity, gas, and groceries are also on the higher side. Here is a breakdown.

  • Electricity: On average, electricity in Hawaii is about $50 higher than the national average. The average electricity bill is $340 a month.
  • Gas: The price of gas depends on where you live in Hawaii, but it is on the higher side.
  • Groceries: The cost of groceries is higher than the national average. Expect to pay more money for imported items and less for local grown items.

Make Your Move A Breeze

Hawaii is a beautiful place to live and millions of people travel there worldwide to enjoy the beautiful scenery and native life. If you are planning to move to the aloha state, keep in mind the cost to move and the cost of living.

If you are looking for professional movers, head on over to Moving Feedback. We put you in the right hands of professional movers that fit your needs. We know finding the right mover can be difficult, so let us do it for you.