Moving to Hawaii statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 58,539 people moved to Hawaii in 2023, while 58,078 left the state. That means a net of 461 people moved to Hawaii in 2023. Between 2020 and 2021, the state ranked 42nd in national net migration.

The number of people moving to Hawaii also increased by 4.15% from 56,209 in 2022 to 58,539 in 2023. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Hawaii ranked as the No. 15 most desired state to move to.

Net migration in Hawaii has been negative for some time, with over 10,000 people consistently leaving the state year over year. The state has consistently lost population each year since 2016, despite the remote work boom in 2020. However, immigrants still accounted for 19.3% of Hawaii’s population as of 2019.

Top 5 regions that people moved to in Hawaii

Though Hawaii’s population has been on a consistent decline for seven years, the state is still ranked as the 15th best U.S. state to move to. This disparity between emigration numbers and a high desirability ranking may be the result of Hawaii’s natural beauty clashing with its cost of living.

While the state is desirable from a climate and geographic perspective, with 88% of visitors seeing natural beauty as a reason for traveling to the state, residents have struggled to keep up with rising costs. Hawaii is now the most expensive state in the U.S., with a cost-of-living index that soars above even the second most expensive state, Massachusetts.

Through the combination of these factors, and despite high desirability for many U.S. movers, most Hawaii towns and cities have lost population over time. The top five regions in Hawaii people moved to between 2020 and 2023 include the following:

Hawaii County is the most popular move-in destination on the islands, attracting 6,871 new migrants between 2020 and 2023. This county represents the largest island in the state. Interestingly, the most populated island of Oahu and the capital of Honolulu have been losing population, while less populated islands like Hawaii and Kauai are the only areas gaining significant population.

Why do people move to Hawaii?

On the whole, many people move to Hawaii for the year-round warm climate, outdoor recreation and vibrant culture. However, the primary drivers for moving can vary greatly based on the island they choose to move to. For instance, the largest island — Hawaii Island — and the island of Kauai offer more rural living and also happen to be the most popular move-to destinations in 2023. These regions also have a lower average cost of living when compared to more populated islands like Maui or Oahu.

The islands also offer job opportunities for would-be movers. The largest industries in the state are government, trade, transportation and utilities, and leisure and hospitality. Collectively, these industries employ just over 56% of Hawaii residents, despite facing stagnant or negative job growth. The fastest growing industry in the state is the mining, logging and construction industry, which saw job growth of 13.2% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Hawaii housing statistics

With a median rent price of $3,188.43 and a median home sale price of $993,000, renters and homeowners alike can expect to pay at least 2 times the national median for housing in Hawaii.

Conversely, Hawaii has the lowest property taxes in the U.S., at a rate of only 0.32%. That’s half that of Arkansas, the state with the 13th lowest property taxes in the U.S. In 2021, the average property owner in Honolulu County paid $2,205 in annual property taxes, while the average property owner in Hawaii County paid roughly half that ($1,210).

Cost-of-living statistics in Hawaii

With a cost-of-living index of 179, Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the U.S. However, the state’s median household income of $91,723 is also higher than the U.S. average of $75,358. The state also has the 12th lowest unemployment rate in the U.S., at 2.9%. The national unemployment rate currently sits at 4.2%.

In line with Hawaii’s cost of living, the state also has higher-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $4.76, or 46% higher than the U.S. average of $3.26. Unfortunately, Hawaii has also fallen behind on green initiatives, ranking as the second least green state in the country.

Hawaii’s high cost of living can largely be attributed to popularity and logistical challenges. As an island 2,484 miles from Los Angeles, remote is an understatement. Due to shipping costs and a lack of local resources, Hawaii’s residents can expect to pay more for the nonlocal goods shipped in. In Honolulu alone, residents can expect to pay 32.7% more than the U.S. average for groceries.

Who lives in Hawaii?

An estimated 1,435,138 live in Hawaii as of 2023. This represents a population decline of 4,261 when compared to 2022. Hawaii is the 40th largest state in terms of population.

Hawaii’s population is slightly more male than female, with men accounting for 50.2% of the population. Comparatively, women account for 49.5% of the population nationwide. In 2023, 719,795 Hawaii residents were male, and 715,343 were female.

On average, Hawaii’s population is also older (42.6 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9. Residents ages 40 years and older account for 742,376 Hawaii residents, or nearly 52% of the state’s population. The most abundant age demographic in the state is those between 35 and 39 years old, accounting for roughly 6.8% of the population.

Asian Americans make up the largest share of Hawaii’s population at about 37%. Those identifying as white follow behind at just over 25%. Hispanic and Black residents account for 10.1% and 2.2% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Hawaii

Not sure how to start your move to Hawaii? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Research the cost of living

With the highest average cost of living in the U.S., budgeting for essentials like housing, groceries and gas in Hawaii is a must. Use resources like Hawaii.gov and DBEDT Hawaii to help plan your budget and better understand local pricing.

2. Prepare for island life

If you’re from the lower 48, it can be difficult to adapt to Hawaii’s limited space and isolated nature, both psychologically and financially. Due to Hawaii’s remote location, you’ll likely face higher shipping costs for goods. Carefully review and compare moving company quotes, keeping in mind additional fees associated with the long-distance move. Tipping movers is also customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service received.

3. Learn about employment opportunities

If you’re looking to work in Hawaii, research is essential. The job market largely centers around tourism, education and health care, though the mining, logging and construction industry has seen the largest job growth in 2024. You may also consider remote work if your industry allows it. Visit the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for more information.

4. Understand island transportation

Public transportation options vary depending on which island you’re moving to. Oahu, for example, has an extensive bus system, while Kauai is largely only accessible by personal vehicle. Research transportation options on TheBus.org.

5. Prepare for cultural differences

Hawaii is known for its multicultural environment, so be ready to embrace diverse traditions and customs. The state emphasizes environmental sustainability and respect for the land, or "Aloha 'Āina," which is an important part of local culture.

6. Know the weather and natural hazards

While Hawaii’s climate is generally warm and pleasant, it's important to be aware of potential natural hazards like hurricanes and volcanic activity. Stay informed through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for preparedness tips, and remember to keep up to date with the local weather.