Maine Local Expert
Greg Reid
“I moved to Maine before it was trendy, stayed when it got crowded, and 28 years later I still love…”
Read more about me
From Maine to Hawaii: The Price Tag Most People Don't Expect
Trading lobster traps for lava fields is not a decision most people make lightly, and the contrast between these two states could hardly be more dramatic. Maine rewards those who love rugged coastlines, dense forests, and the kind of quiet that only a long winter can bring, while Hawaii offers perpetual warmth, volcanic landscapes, and an island pace that sounds idyllic until you realize the nearest Target is an ocean away. The logistics alone set this move apart from nearly any other in the country, since you cannot simply load a truck and drive southwest. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Matt) dug into the costs, shipping realities, and day to day lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start bubble wrapping the furniture.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Maine to Hawaii: The Drive, the Route, the Miles
Average distance
5,300miles
Typical route
No driving route exists between Maine and Hawaii. Travel requires flight from a Maine or regional airport to a major mainland hub, followed by a transpacific flight to Honolulu (HNL) or another Hawaiian island. Common mainland hub connections include Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO).
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Honolulu, HI
~5300 miles
Portland, ME → Kahului, HI
~5300 miles
Bangor, ME → Honolulu, HI
~5350 miles
Augusta, ME → Honolulu, HI
~5300 miles
Portland, ME → Kailua-Kona, HI
~5350 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Hawaii Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Hawaii from Maine 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.
Your Complete Maine to Hawaii Moving Cost Breakdown
Moving 5,300 miles from Maine 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
$1,270.00
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.
How Well Will You Feel at Home in Hawaii?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Cowboy, or Retired Military, you'll thrive in your move to Hawaii. But if you're more of a DIYer, Minimalist, or Coffee Snob, 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 Maine to Hawaii.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to HI
Surfing
Maine
4.5
/10
Hawaii
9.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Hawaii
Gaining
Pipeline, Duke Kahanamoku statue/Waikiki, Ala Moana Bowls
Recommended HI cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
HaleiwaWaikikiHanalei
Maine
4.5
/10
Hawaii
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
Hawaii
5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Hawaii
Gaining
Paniolo heritage, Parker Ranch rodeos, upcountry charm, not Texas
Recommended HI cities/areas for Cowboys
WaimeaMakawaoKula
Maine
2.5
/10
Hawaii
5
/10
Military Culture
Maine
6
/10
Hawaii
7
/10
Maine
Giving up
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard nearby, Togus VA, welcoming towns.
Hawaii
Gaining
Joint Base life, Schofield community, Kaneohe MCBH beach views
Recommended HI cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Pearl HarborMililaniKaneohe
Maine
6
/10
Hawaii
7
/10
DIYers
Maine
8
/10
Hawaii
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Mill loft rehabs, Marden's hauls, fixer-uppers with good bones everywhere.
Hawaii
Gaining
City Mill runs, salvage scores at Reuse Hawaii
Recommended HI cities/areas for DIYers
HiloWaimanaloWaianae
Maine
8
/10
Hawaii
6
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
Hawaii
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
Hawaii
Gaining
Kakaako microlofts, beach walks, backyard gardens
Recommended HI cities/areas for Minimalists
Kakaako condosKaimukiHilo
Maine
7.5
/10
Hawaii
6
/10
Coffee Culture
Maine
9
/10
Hawaii
8
/10
Maine
Giving up
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Hawaii
Gaining
Kona farms, Morning Glass Kaimuki, Alii Coffee downtown
Recommended HI cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
HolualoaKaimukiChinatown
Maine
9
/10
Hawaii
8
/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 Maine and living in Hawaii
MaineHawaii
The Local Food Divide Between Maine and Hawaii
Eating 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 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 ExpertMaine vs Hawaii: What Breaks Down on Your Tax Return
Maine
Hawaii
MainevsHawaii
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Hawaii
Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Hawaii
Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
From Maine to Hawaii: How People, Politics, & Religion Change
Maine
Hawaii
MainevsHawaii
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Hawaii
warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Hawaii
deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Hawaii
a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
How the Seasons Differ Between Maine and Hawaii
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Hawaii
Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
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 Maine, 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
