How much does it cost to move to Hawaii?

Making a budget-friendly move to Hawaii

When moving to Hawaii, it’s important to expect some additional costs that aren’t required for most moves within the continental United States. Because you’re crossing the ocean to get to a new home, you’ll need to consider the expense of airfare, shipping belongings off the mainland — including vehicles if needed — and extra fees for moving pets if you have them.  

If you’re looking to save money on a move to the “Paradise of the Pacific,” it’s best to use a budget-friendly DIY option like U-Pack®. Let’s look at some example moves to get a feel for pricing as you plan a moving budget. 

The cost of moving to Hawaii: example quotes 

U-Pack offers ReloCube® moving containers for moves to Hawaii. Typically, a single Cube holds furniture and belongings for a large room. A studio apartment or 1-bedroom would likely need 1 Cube, a 2-bedroom would need 2 Cubes and a 3-bedroom would need 3-4 Cubes, depending on how heavily furnished the home is.  

Here are some U-Pack price ranges for moves to Honolulu in March 2024 for distances of approximately 2,500 miles, 3,500 miles and 4,500 miles. Prices were accurate at the time of posting, but actual costs will vary depending on moving details. 

Other travel expenses to include in a Hawaiian moving budget 

You can’t drive to and from Hawaii like with other states, so it’s important to plan for additional travel expenses. 

Airfare prices to move to the Islands 

Using our origins from the examples above, we looked at flight costs for March 2024. These prices were estimates only and did not include taxes or baggage fees. 

Here are the lowest fares we found (searching in December 2023): 

• Sacramento to Honolulu: $166 per person 
• Dallas to Honolulu: $260 per person 
• Charlotte to Honolulu: $369 per person 

Additional airline fees: 

• Checked baggage fees are $30 and up, depending on the airline, and there may be limits on the number of bags that can be checked. 
• Many airlines charge between $30-$60 to choose a seat. 

Paying to move pets 

Airline pet transportation fees typically start at around $125 per pet, but the cost can vary depending on the pet's size and whether it is riding in a carry-on bag or in the plane's cargo area. Hawaii is a rabies-free state, so you’ll need to ensure pets have all the required vaccinations before heading to the Hawaiian Islands. Vet fees for a physical exam with vaccinations are typically $150-$250.  

Learn more about moving pets to Hawaii and the required import fees. 

The cost of shipping a car  

Some people opt to sell their cars on the mainland and purchase different vehicles in Hawaii, but if that isn’t the best solution, you’ll need to ship the car. U-Pack equipment isn’t designed to haul vehicles, so we refer customers to Mr. Car Shipper®. You can call them at 877-528-9627 for a quote. Shipping fees to Hawaii start at around $2,500 for a four-door sedan (at the time of posting).  

U-Pack can save you money on moves to Hawaii

Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to get a free quote for your move to Hawaii. You can also use our online quote form and enter an email address so a moving consultant can reach out (we need to check all the details for moves to Hawaii). Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. We’re happy to help!