Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“She fosters dogs but answers to the two parakeets who clearly run her house.”
See full bio
From Florida to Hawaii: Was It Worth It?
Trading Florida's beaches for Hawaii's volcanic shores might sound like a lateral move for sun lovers, but the reality of relocating across the Pacific Ocean is unlike any other domestic move you will encounter. Florida offers sprawling coastal cities and theme park corridors, while Hawaii trades flat terrain and strip malls for dramatic cliffs, rainforests, and a pace of life that operates on its own schedule. Shipping your belongings thousands of miles over open ocean, adjusting to sky high costs, and leaving the continental United States behind entirely are just a few of the curveballs waiting for you. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Matt) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
DIY Move: How Far Is the Move from FL to Hawaii?
Average distance
5,095miles
Typical route
No driving route exists between Florida and Hawaii. Travel requires air transport, typically routing through a West Coast hub such as Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), or Seattle (SEA) before continuing over the Pacific Ocean to Honolulu (HNL) or other Hawaiian airports. Inter-island connections are available from HNL to neighbor islands.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Miami, FL → Honolulu, HI
~5100 miles
Orlando, FL → Honolulu, HI
~5050 miles
Tampa, FL → Honolulu, HI
~5000 miles
Jacksonville, FL → Kahului, HI
~5150 miles
Miami, FL → Kailua-Kona, HI
~5300 miles
Should You Move From Florida to Hawaii Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Hawaii from Florida is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
The Honest Cost of Moving from FL to Hawaii
Moving 5,095 miles from Florida to Hawaii will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
How Will Your Current FL Personality Translate in Hawaii?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Retired Military, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Hawaii. But if you're more of a Gamer, Cowboy, or Dog Momma, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Florida to Hawaii.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to HI
Gardener
Florida
5
/10
Hawaii
8
/10
Florida
Giving up
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Hawaii
Gaining
Ho'omaluhia gardens, Lyon Arboretum, Limahuli Preserve bliss
Recommended HI cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
KaneoheManoaKilauea
Florida
5
/10
Hawaii
8
/10
Military Culture
Florida
5
/10
Hawaii
7
/10
Florida
Giving up
Strong bases, beaches, and VA care make it feel like home.
Hawaii
Gaining
Joint Base life, Schofield community, Kaneohe MCBH beach views
Recommended HI cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Pearl HarborMililaniKaneohe
Florida
5
/10
Hawaii
7
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Florida
4.5
/10
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Hawaii
Gaining
Safe, beautiful suburbs but cost of living stings
Recommended HI cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
KailuaMililani
Florida
4.5
/10
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Gaming
Florida
7.5
/10
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Mega conventions and humid nights spent grinding indoors.
Hawaii
Gaining
Hawaiian Telcom fiber, PC cafes, time zone raids
Recommended HI cities/areas for Gamers
HonoluluAieaKapolei
Florida
7.5
/10
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Cowboys
Florida
6.5
/10
Hawaii
5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Hawaii
Gaining
Paniolo heritage, Parker Ranch rodeos, upcountry charm, not Texas
Recommended HI cities/areas for Cowboys
WaimeaMakawaoKula
Florida
6.5
/10
Hawaii
5
/10
Pet Friendly
Florida
9
/10
Hawaii
7.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Beach dog parks, pup patios, dog-friendly bars, and sunshine walks galore.
Hawaii
Gaining
Kailua off-leash vibes, Hawaii Kai Dog Park hangs
Recommended HI cities/areas for Dog Mommas
KailuaKakaakoHawaii Kai
Florida
9
/10
Hawaii
7.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Hawaii?
The morning chorus of the tropical songbirds, interrupted by the occasional off-key crowing of a rooster.
– Matt Rott
Hawaii Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Florida and living in Hawaii
FloridaHawaii
The Real Food Rules of Eating Like a Local in FL and Hawaii
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Hawaii
For a classic plate lunch, try chicken katsu with mac salad and two scoops of rice. The best traditional Hawaiian grinds include poi, laulau, lomi salmon, pipikaula, and squid luau. Finally, nothing beats an ahi limu poke bowl for a quick lunch—don't forget the furikake.
Matt RottHawaii Local ExpertIs Hawaii a More Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Picture?
Florida
Hawaii
FloridavsHawaii
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Moving to Hawaii from FL: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Difference
Florida
Hawaii
FloridavsHawaii
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Climate in FL vs Hawaii: A Local's Real View
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
Hawaii
Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Hawaii
If The Eddie runs between December and February, the entire island shows up to watch Hawaii's biggest event in its biggest waves. Kam Highway shuts down between Foodland and Chuns, with 50,000+ people crowding the sand, pavement, and every square inch around Waimea Bay. Drive out the night before, post up, and enjoy the circus.
Matt RottHawaii Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Hawaii
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Florida, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Hawaii. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Hawaii local experts.
Moving toKauai
Pack Sunscreen, Buy a Raincoat, and Double Your Budget
Moving toMaui
Haleakala Highs, Honoapiilani Lows, Costco Lines
Moving toMolokai
Pack Duct Tape and Kill Your Amazon Habit
