Hawaii Local Expert
Matt Rott
“He owns 40+ surfboards and still believes the next one will complete the set.”
See full bio
Relocating from Hawaii to New Jersey: Why So Many People Are Doing It
Trading volcanic coastlines for the Garden State is a decision that comes with far more than a change of scenery. Hawaii and New Jersey sit at opposite ends of nearly every spectrum, from climate and cost of living to pace of life and sheer geographic scale. Island living in Hawaii wraps daily routines around ocean breezes, laid back culture, and the unique isolation that comes with being hundreds of miles from the mainland. New Jersey, on the other hand, drops you into one of the most densely populated and fast moving corridors in the entire country, with New York City practically at your doorstep and a lifestyle that rarely slows down. Our Snappy Scout team (Matt & Diane) dug into the real costs, the logistical challenges of a transoceanic move, and the cultural adjustments you should genuinely prepare for before you start stacking boxes.
Who's Behind This Guide
How to Get from Hawaii to NJ with a Moving Truck
Average distance
5,100miles
Typical route
This route requires air travel. Typical flight paths go from Honolulu (HNL) or other Hawaiian airports to a mainland hub such as LAX, SFO, or SEA, followed by a connecting flight to Newark (EWR) or a nearby New Jersey-area airport. No driving highways apply for the transoceanic portion of this move.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Honolulu, HI → Newark, NJ
~5100 miles
Honolulu, HI → Jersey City, NJ
~5100 miles
Kahului, HI → Newark, NJ
~5250 miles
Kailua-Kona, HI → Newark, NJ
~5300 miles
Lihue, HI → Newark, NJ
~5150 miles
How Much Are Full-Service Movers to NJ from Hawaii?
Moving 5,100 miles from Hawaii to New Jersey 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 Relocating from Hawaii to NJ the Right Choice for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Stay at Home Mom, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Surfer Dude, Adventure Junkie, 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 New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from HI to NJ
Tech Scene
Hawaii
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Blue Startups energy, small scene, no SoMa scale
New Jersey
Gaining
PATH to Manhattan, Princeton startups, Bell Labs Holmdel echoes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Tech Bros
Jersey CityHobokenPrinceton
Hawaii
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Hawaii
5.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Safe, beautiful suburbs but cost of living stings
New Jersey
Gaining
Mindowaskin Park playdates, Paper Mill shows, Whole Foods and Trader Joes runs
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
WestfieldMillburnMadisonHaddonfield
Hawaii
5.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Gaming
Hawaii
5.5
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Hawaiian Telcom fiber, PC cafes, time zone raids
New Jersey
Gaining
Prudential Center esports nights, Yestercades nostalgia, fast gigabit lofts
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Gamers
Hawaii
5.5
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Surfing
Hawaii
9.5
/10
New Jersey
3.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Pipeline, Duke Kahanamoku statue/Waikiki, Ala Moana Bowls
New Jersey
Gaining
Belmar breaks happen, but wetsuits rule and hurricane swells tease
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
BelmarManasquanLong Branch
Hawaii
9.5
/10
New Jersey
3.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Hawaii
9
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Kalalau Trail, crater sunrise, stargazing on Mauna Kea
New Jersey
Gaining
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
VernonHardwickHammonton
Hawaii
9
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Yoga
Hawaii
9
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Sunrise beach flows, Paia vibes, Kapiolani Park classes
New Jersey
Gaining
Pier A sunrise flows, Gratitude Yoga calm, beach classes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
HobokenPrincetonAsbury Park
Hawaii
9
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Hawaii and living in New Jersey
HawaiiNew Jersey
Forget the Restaurants: Here's How Locals Really Eat in Hawaii and NJ
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 New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertFrom Hawaii to NJ: How Your Tax Picture Shifts
Hawaii
New Jersey
HawaiivsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
The Honest Values, Beliefs, & Politics Breakdown: Hawaii vs NJ
Hawaii
New Jersey
HawaiivsNew Jersey
People
Peoplewarm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
Religiona pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
The Seasonal Change Between Hawaii and NJ
SUMMER
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Hawaii
Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
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 New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
