Hawaii Local Expert
Matt Rott
“He owns 40+ surfboards and still believes the next one will complete the set.”
See full bio
From Hawaii to Maine: What to Expect Your First Year
Trading volcanic beaches for rocky coastlines is one of the most dramatic relocations a person can make, and the Hawaii to Maine move sits in a category all its own. Few state pairings sit further apart geographically, culturally, or climatically, so the adjustments you face will go well beyond swapping a lei for a winter coat. Hawaii wraps residents in a relaxed island pace, year round warmth, and a cost of living that consistently ranks among the highest in the nation, while Maine answers back with fierce winters, tight knit communities, and a rugged independence that locals wear with quiet pride. Our Snappy Scout team (Matt & Greg) dug into the real costs, logistical hurdles, and lifestyle shifts waiting for you on the other side of this cross country journey so you can make the move with both eyes open before the first box gets packed.
Who's Behind This Guide
DIY Move: How Far Is the Move from Hawaii to Maine?
Average distance
5,100miles
Typical route
No driving route is possible between Hawaii and Maine. Travel requires flight connections, typically routing through a West Coast mainland hub (such as Los Angeles, Seattle, or San Francisco) before continuing eastward to Maine, with a connection through a Northeast hub such as Boston or New York. Inter-island flights within Hawaii may be required depending on the origin island.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Honolulu, HI → Portland, ME
~5100 miles
Honolulu, HI → Bangor, ME
~5150 miles
Kahului, HI → Portland, ME
~5200 miles
Kailua-Kona, HI → Portland, ME
~5250 miles
Lihue, HI → Portland, ME
~5050 miles
How Much Do Reputable Movers Quote from Hawaii to Maine?
Moving 5,100 miles from Hawaii to Maine 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.
Is a Move from Hawaii to Maine Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Hipster, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Binge Shopper, or Yoga Instructor, 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 Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from HI to ME
Homesteading
Hawaii
4
/10
Maine
8
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Off-grid acreage, lava zones, tricky permits, old Hawaii magic still exists
Maine
Gaining
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Homesteaders
UnityDover-Foxcroft
Hawaii
4
/10
Maine
8
/10
Hipsters
Hawaii
7
/10
Maine
8.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Pow Wow murals, ARS cafe, indie vinyl hunts
Maine
Gaining
Portland Flea For All, artists filling Biddeford mills.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Hipsters
Portland East BaysideBiddeford
Hawaii
7
/10
Maine
8.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Maine
7
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Safe, beautiful suburbs but cost of living stings
Maine
Gaining
Top schools, Sea Dogs nights, easy beach days.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
FalmouthYarmouthScarborough
Hawaii
5.5
/10
Maine
7
/10
Beach Culture
Hawaii
9.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Lanikai sunrises, Poipu beaches, Wailea golden sunsets
Maine
Gaining
Old Orchard boardwalk fun, chilly water, narrow beaches at tide.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Beach Bums
Old Orchard BeachWells
Hawaii
9.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Shopping
Hawaii
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Ala Moana Center sprees, Waikiki Luxury Row, Waikele deals
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Hawaii
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Yoga
Hawaii
9
/10
Maine
7
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Sunrise beach flows, Paia vibes, Kapiolani Park classes
Maine
Gaining
Sunrise flows at Portland Head Light, mellow harbors.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
PortlandCamden
Hawaii
9
/10
Maine
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Maine?
The welcoming nature of the people in Maine. It doesn't matter who your father was, where you went to college, or what you did for work wherever it was you came from. You're here now. So look someone in the eye, smile, and say something friendly. Most people will respond in kind. After about 5 minutes of chatting, they'll treat you like an old friend. After 10, they'll offer you their truck when you need one. It really is OK if you come from Massachusetts. Just don't act like it.
– Greg Reid
Maine Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Hawaii and living in Maine
HawaiiMaine
How Local Cuisine Differs When You Move from Hawaii to Maine
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 Maine
Forget your grinder, sub sandwich, or hoagie. This form of nourishment is called "an Italian." Hot or cold. Open-faced or closed. It's an Italian. Meatball sandwich? Meatball Italian. Veggie grinder? Veggie Italian. Italian sub? You guessed it: Italian Italian.
Greg ReidMaine Local ExpertFrom Hawaii to Maine: How Your Tax Situation Changes
Hawaii
Maine
HawaiivsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Faith, Votes, and Values: Hawaii vs Maine
Hawaii
Maine
HawaiivsMaine
People
Peoplewarm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
Religiona pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
The Climate Divide Between Hawaii and Maine
SUMMER
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Hawaii
Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Maine
Winter: Hiking with my dog over snow-covered trails, biting cold morning air
Spring: Watching the sun rise a little earlier each day, the sudden eruption of greenery in May
Summer: Outdoor concerts, Portland Hearts of Pine soccer matches, kids playing outside til dusk
Fall: Exploring Casco Bay Islands, sampling pumpkin-spiced brews
Greg ReidMaine Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Maine
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 Maine. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Maine local experts.
Moving toPortland
Bring your dog, your Subaru, your HOP hoodie and your Red Sox cap.
Moving toAugusta
Prep for Slanted Floors and Seven Bridges
Moving toBangor
Mortal Mortgages, Moose Eyes, Bunyan Selfies
