Hawaii Local Expert
Matt Rott
“He owns 40+ surfboards and still believes the next one will complete the set.”
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Leaving Hawaii for New York: What the Move Will Actually Cost You
Trading ocean breezes and volcanic landscapes for skyscrapers and subway stations is one of the most dramatic relocations a person can make, and the Hawaii to New York move delivers that culture shock in full force. Life in Hawaii moves at a pace shaped by island time, tight knit communities, and some of the highest living costs in the country, while New York throws you into a relentless, electric energy that never quite slows down. The distance alone makes this one of the longest and most logistically complex domestic moves possible, with no option to simply load up a truck and drive. Our Snappy Scout team (Matt & Alexa) broke down the real costs, shipping challenges, and lifestyle adjustments you need to think through before you start packing up your aloha spirit for the concrete jungle.
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Who's Behind This Guide
HI to NY: The Drive, the Route, the Miles
Average distance
5,095miles
Typical route
This route requires air travel. Typical itineraries fly from a Hawaii island airport (HNL, OGG, KOA, or LIH) to a West Coast mainland hub (LAX, SFO, or SEA), then continue onward to a New York area airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR). No driving highways apply for the primary intercontinental segment.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Honolulu (HNL), HI → New York City (JFK), NY
~5100 miles
Honolulu (HNL), HI → New York City (EWR), NY
~5100 miles
Kahului, Maui (OGG), HI → New York City (JFK), NY
~5150 miles
Kona (KOA), HI → New York City (JFK), NY
~5200 miles
Lihue, Kauai (LIH), HI → New York City (JFK), NY
~5100 miles
Should You Move From Hawaii to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York 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 Are Long-Distance Movers to NY from HI?
Moving 5,095 miles from Hawaii to New York 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.
That's the average.
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Is Moving from HI to NY the Right Move for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Gamer, or Minimalist, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Surfer Dude, Retired Snowbird, or Cowboy, 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 York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from HI to NY
Wall Street Life
Hawaii
3.5
/10
New York
9
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Downtown Honolulu finance, but no NYSE buzz or scale
New York
Gaining
NYSE steps, power lunches at Delmonico's, Bloomberg chatter
Recommended NY cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Manhattan Financial District
Hawaii
3.5
/10
New York
9
/10
Minimalism
Hawaii
6
/10
New York
8
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Kakaako microlofts, beach walks, backyard gardens
New York
Gaining
High Line zen, Muji vibes, tiny space mastery
Recommended NY cities/areas for Minimalists
Long Island CityBattery Park CityWilliamsburg
Hawaii
6
/10
New York
8
/10
Surfing
Hawaii
9.5
/10
New York
3
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Pipeline, Duke Kahanamoku statue/Waikiki, Ala Moana Bowls
New York
Gaining
Rockaway waves exist, but wetsuits and winter winds bite
Recommended NY cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Rockaway BeachLong BeachMontauk
Hawaii
9.5
/10
New York
3
/10
Snowbirds
Hawaii
8.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Warm winters, Kona sunsets, Kihei walks, Poipu golf
New York
Gaining
Lovely summers, but lake effect and nor'easters chase you
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Long BeachBrighton BeachStaten Island
Hawaii
8.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Cowboys
Hawaii
5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Hawaii
Giving up
Paniolo heritage, Parker Ranch rodeos, upcountry charm, not Texas
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Hawaii
5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Hawaii and living in New York
HawaiiNew York
Forget the Yelp Reviews: Here's How Locals Really Eat in HI and NY
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 York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNew York looking like
the right move?
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From HI to NY: How Your Tax Picture Looks
Hawaii
New York
HawaiivsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
The Honest Values, Beliefs, & Politics Reality: HI vs NY
Hawaii
New York
HawaiivsNew York
People
Peoplewarm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
Religiona pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
The Seasonal Truth Between HI and NY
SUMMER
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Hawaii
Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
