Moving to Hawaii: costs, checklist and what to know
Hawaii at a glance for movers: West region · largest city Honolulu · capital Honolulu · Hawaii time, with no daylight saving time time.
Quick facts for moving to Hawaii
- Income tax: Hawaii taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Hawaii Department of Taxation for the current year.
- Sales tax: Hawaii has no conventional sales tax. Instead it charges a 4% general excise tax (GET) at the state level. It is a tax on businesses that many pass on to customers, and county surcharges may apply.
- Driver's license: Check with the county driver licensing offices for how long new residents have to switch their driver's license and registration.
- Getting there: household goods go by ocean freight, so plan for shipping quotes rather than a truck rental.
What to know before moving to Hawaii
- Everything moves by ocean, either in a full shipping container or as consolidated freight. Many people ship far less and buy furniture on the islands.
- Hawaii is rabies-free, and pets must meet strict Hawaii Department of Agriculture rules to avoid a long quarantine. Start the paperwork months ahead.
- Licenses and vehicle registration are handled by each county, not by a single state DMV.
Main cities and metros include Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua, Kahului.
How much does it cost to move to Hawaii?
Truck-rental math doesn't apply to Hawaii, because household goods have to travel by sea. Expect to pay for a shipping container or consolidated freight, plus car shipping if you take a vehicle. Get several written quotes, ship only what is worth more than replacing it, and allow extra time: ocean transit and port handling usually take longer than a truck move within the lower 48.
Best time to move to Hawaii
The weather allows a move any time of year, though hurricane season runs June through November. Book ocean shipping several weeks out.
Across the U.S., summer is the busiest and priciest moving season. Mid-month and mid-week dates are usually easier to book.
Hawaii new-resident checklist
For the full timeline, from booking movers to unpacking, use our moving day countdown checklist.
Moving to Hawaii: FAQ
How much does it cost to move to Hawaii?
Moves to Hawaii depend on ocean shipping, so costs vary more than for moves within the lower 48. Get quotes for container or consolidated freight, plus car shipping, and ship less than you would for a truck move.
Does Hawaii have a state income tax?
Yes. Hawaii taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Hawaii Department of Taxation for the current year.
What is the sales tax in Hawaii?
Hawaii has no conventional sales tax. Instead it charges a 4% general excise tax (GET) at the state level. It is a tax on businesses that many pass on to customers, and county surcharges may apply.
How long do I have to get a Hawaii driver's license after moving?
Hawaii doesn't publish a simple day count that we could confirm, so check with the county driver licensing offices for the current rule and the documents to bring.
When is the best time to move to Hawaii?
The weather allows a move any time of year, though hurricane season runs June through November. Book ocean shipping several weeks out.
Sources and accuracy
Tax and license facts on this page should be confirmed with the Hawaii Department of Taxation and the county driver licensing offices, which publish the current rules. Rules change, and some cities and counties add their own taxes. Cost figures are model estimates explained on our methodology page. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.