You can reduce the cost to move to Hawaii if you play it smart. First, let’s get you some reality on your average cost vs. a low cost move.
Fill out the form below (if you’re on mobile it might be easier to open the form in a new browser here) and you’ll get an answer in under a minute.
How did we come up with the estimate on the cost to move to Hawaii?
We’ve partnered with the probably the best moving company in Hawaii to give you two estimates. One takes all the contents of your house and estimates their cost to move to Hawaii. The other assumes you’ll sell all of your furniture and appliances and just move your personal items. This really makes it easy to figure out your options.
How can I reduce my cost to move to Hawaii?
Get your free estimate and it will be pretty obvious: get rid of your stuff! Instead of moving furniture and appliances, sell them over there, move here, and then figure out what you want to buy locally. Unless you have some family heirloom stuff to move, you’ll greatly reduce the cost to move to Hawaii if you just get rid of as much as you can. Chances are your new home here in Hawaii will be a lot smaller than your mainland home so most of that stuff won’t fit anyway.
How does moving my car reduce the cost to move to Hawaii?
This moving estimate excludes a car which is a whole other story. In 2023, the rough cost to move a car to Hawaii is between $2,000 and $4,000. If you have a car that has a lot of years left (i.e. low miles, good condition, etc) then it might make sense. If you’re close to getting a replacement anyway, sell it now and buy something here.
Another thing to consider is size. Hawaii typically has small parking spaces so unless you must have a big car, you’ll want a small, reliable, fuel-efficient one in Hawaii. Big cars like SUVs and full-size pickup trucks get more than their share of parking lot dings because they have a hard time fitting in many spots.
Convert your photos to digital to reduce the cost to move to Hawaii
Do you have a lot of old photo albums? Convert those photos to digital and then get rid of them! I use the Google Photoscan app on my phone and it works great and brings those old family photos back to life and makes them usable again. Plus, you’ll really save on shipping costs.
Get rid of books you don’t read and reduce the cost to move to Hawaii
Books are some of the heaviest items there are. A box of books will probably weigh more than anything else you can fill that box with. And chances are you’ve never gone back to 99% of your collection to re-read any of those books you have. Get rid of them! Drop them off at the library and a good cause. If you ever need to read one of them again (because you know you won’t anyway!) you can just buy it back and that will cost you way less than moving and storing them. Besides, you’ve probably gone Kindle anyway!
What kind of clothes can I get rid of to reduce my cost to move to Hawaii?
It’s hard to believe that you’ll never use a warm jacket in Hawaii but it’s true. When I first moved here in the mid-80s I brought my favorite jackets and never ever even once wore them. So don’t make my mistake and get rid of them. The only reason you might have to keep even one is if you live in a cold place on the mainland and will want to visit family again during cold season. The only other reason might be if you plan on travelling to cold places and need the right gear. But if you’re like me, you won’t want to go to a cold place ever again and you can leave your heavy coats with family that can greet you at the airport with warm gear. Get rid of all your fall and winter clothes! You can probably get rid of your spring clothes too. Hawaii is summertime year-round!
Anyone interested in sharing a shipping container to Hawaii? Ideally from Tacoma to Hilo… I have a piece of equipment that needs to be sent.
Peter, Would you mind providing references for these moving services from people whop used them to move to Hawaii?
I only work w/ the best in the state – long-established, impeccable record. I can attest that of all the people I’ve referred to them I’ve not only never received a complaint but also have received glowing reviews – otherwise I wouldn’t work with them.
What moving company are you using for estimates?
We have a collection of partners that we get the moving data from.
I would like to split my time between Oahu and the mainland and am looking for the best places to find six month rentals. I bounce between Aribnb and VRbO, but I want sublets vs vacation rentals. Do you know the best way to go about renting places for six months at a time? Oahu? My ultimate goal is to work 100% remote and live most of the year in Oahu, but I’m in a relationship with someone who is not as passionate about HI as I am so trying to sort out how best to make the transition.
This is my question as well and if anyone has helpful tips, that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
after reading this, do you have other questions?
Thanks Peter for the content and perspective. I am enjoying watching your videos. I think I would still want to know the answer to:
“Do you know the best way to go about renting places for six months at a time?”
Are there any ideas you might have around this or how to make it work well? Is it better to be closer to downtown and don’t rent or buy a car? Is it possible to buy a car for just the 6 months and then sell it? Better to live outside of downtown and get a car? Cost saving tips for 6 months of living instead of lifetime? Anything else that comes to mind based off your expertise :)!
I am thinking around downtown Honolulu could be best (has public transit, many things are within walking distance, close to hospital, etc.), get something that is furnished, and only rent a car for weekend type trips or when desired / necessary. I am thinking 6 month sublet from December – May because the flights in December and May (when I would travel to / from Hawaii) are cheaper in these “shoulder” season months.
Let me know if that doesn’t make sense and thank you again for taking the time and sharing the island with us!
Great questions. Are you thinking of coming out here to live for 6 months at a time and then going back, year after year?
Yes, I am thinking part time in HI, part time in my primary residence.
Then don’t commit to anything until you’ve come out here at least the first time, and perhaps even the second. There are so many variables that you’ll have to actually be here to figure out what’s best for you.
We are planning to move to Oahu and are concerned how well any of our furniture will fare on the voyage over if they aren’t in a shipping container.
Can’t wait to get back!
You really should talk to our pros and have them help you. Use the form to get an estimate and then reply back to me and I’ll connect you.
Do you have any suggestions for a service or website that can help find a house for rent that allows pets? I will be working in the Waipahu area. Since I have been traveling 50,000 miles per year, distance isn’t really a problem. I guess I need to know if we would be outcasts in the Waianae area.
Thanks
Most people use Zillow though it will be a challenge to rent until you physically live here. Waianae to Waipahu are nearly different worlds.
I’m selling up everything as I’m planning on moving from the UK.
So For me the moving cost to Hawaii. Is the price of 2 flights and extra baggage.
I’ve heard that you can get an entire shipping container for 3K to 5 K. from Bay area. Any truth to that? And if so can you put one of your vehicles inside a shipping container?
It’s less about the container itself and more about how you’re going to go about packing and unpacking that container.
I get that moving and shipping is charged by the pound. But considering that everything on the islands is so expensive does it really make sense to re-buy high ticket items like mattresses, small kitchen appliances, furniture, if they are in very good condition?
That really depends. Did you try the estimator? Here’s a simple question: what’s the cost of shipping a mattress vs the selling the one you have an buying it again here in Hawaii?
Do some people buy a second vacation home in Hawaii? I guess the idea would be you can move to hawaii and get everything you need in Hawaii. If you don’t need to bring your stuff to Hawaii, you can leave it on the mainland in your primary home. Would that be a way to save on shipping your mainland things?
Yes, people do have vacation homes in Hawaii and yes, essentially the way to save shipping is to not ship them!
Joseph – curious where you are located. We have the same “rare” last name!