Hawaii Local Expert
Matt Rott
“I was born and raised on Oahu and currently make the North Shore playground my home. I’ve lived in four…”
Read more about me
From Hawaii to Florida: Who Wins, Who Struggles, and Who Shouldn't Bother
Here is a state-to-state moving guide intro for Hawaii to Florida: Trading volcanic peaks and Pacific breezes for flat coastlines and Atlantic humidity is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Hawaii and Florida both carry a laid-back, beach-loving reputation, but the reality of daily life in each state tells a very different story. Hawaii offers a tight-knit island culture, a slower pace, and a cost of living that will make even Floridians wince, while Florida trades that isolation for sprawling cities, endless chain restaurants, and the ability to drive somewhere without hitting the ocean. Our Snappy Scout team (Matt & Vanessa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start bubble-wrapping your surfboard.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Could You Drive a Moving Truck from HI to Florida?
Average distance
5,100miles
Typical route
No driving route exists between Hawaii and Florida. Travel requires flight across the Pacific Ocean to a mainland hub, followed by a connecting flight to Florida. Common mainland hubs include Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Honolulu, HI → Miami, FL
~5300 miles
Honolulu, HI → Orlando, FL
~5100 miles
Kahului, HI → Fort Lauderdale, FL
~5250 miles
Honolulu, HI → Tampa, FL
~5000 miles
Kona, HI → Jacksonville, FL
~5350 miles
Should You Move From Hawaii to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida from Hawaii 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.
How Much Do Local Movers Charge from HI to Florida?
Moving 5,100 miles from Hawaii to Florida 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Is Moving to Florida from HI Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, DIYer, or PTA President, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Hipster, Coffee Snob, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 Hawaii to Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from HI to FL
Homesteading
Hawaii
4
/10
Florida
6
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Off-grid acreage, lava zones, tricky permits, old Hawaii magic still exists
Florida
Gaining
Growing mangoes beats corn, but hurricanes test your grit.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Homesteaders
North PortDeLandSebring
Hawaii
4
/10
Florida
6
/10
DIYers
Hawaii
6
/10
Florida
7.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
City Mill runs, salvage scores at Reuse Hawaii
Florida
Gaining
Home projects thrive where hurricane prep meets HGTV spirit.
Recommended FL cities/areas for DIYers
OcalaLakelandPalm Coast
Hawaii
6
/10
Florida
7.5
/10
PTA Life
Hawaii
7
/10
Florida
8
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Mililani Trojans pride, Kailua carnivals, Kaiser Complex fundraisers
Florida
Gaining
Sunshine schools and suburban perfection make volunteering easy.
Recommended FL cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Winter GardenWestonNaples
Hawaii
7
/10
Florida
8
/10
Hipsters
Hawaii
7
/10
Florida
5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Pow Wow murals, ARS cafe, indie vinyl hunts
Florida
Gaining
Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Hipsters
Hawaii
7
/10
Florida
5
/10
Coffee Culture
Hawaii
8
/10
Florida
7
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Kona farms, Morning Glass Kaimuki, Alii Coffee downtown
Florida
Gaining
Cuban espresso rules, but the third-wave scene’s still brewing.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Hawaii
8
/10
Florida
7
/10
Thrifting
Hawaii
6.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Goodwill Kaimuki finds, Aloha Stadium Swap Meet scores
Florida
Gaining
Retro Florida flair hides in antique shops and swap meets.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
St. AugustineSarasotaDelray Beach
Hawaii
6.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
– Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Hawaii and living in Florida
HawaiiFlorida
How Food Culture Changes When You Move from HI to Florida
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertFrom HI to Florida: How Your Tax Burden Changes
Hawaii
Florida
HawaiivsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
The People, Politics, & Religion Divide of HI vs Florida
Hawaii
Florida
HawaiivsFlorida
People
Peoplewarm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
Religiona pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
What the Four Seasons Actually Look Like in HI vs Florida
SUMMER
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
Hawaii
Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Florida
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 Hawaii, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.
Moving toSt. Petersburg
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
