If you’ve ever dreamed of living on a tropical island, then you’ve probably entertained the idea of moving to Hawaii. With its endless sunshine, crystal clear waters, lush jungles, roaring waterfalls, and sandy white beaches, Hawaii is a great destination for those in search of the coveted island lifestyle. And with so many islands to choose from, each offering its own unique features and experiences, you’re sure to find that perfect location to call your home!

I moved from the mainland, from the city nicknamed Hawaii’s “9th Island”… Las Vegas. I’ll breakdown some of my thoughts on each island, and which island I chose. In this article, I’ll outline the four major islands in Hawaii – Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island – providing all the information you need to choose your own slice of paradise!

Maui

Commonly referred to as the Valley Isle, Maui is the second-largest island in the state of Hawaii. Here you’ll find stunning beaches, pristine jungles, dormant volcanoes, and lush valleys. Described by many as the middle ground between the big-city life of Oahu and the rural country of the Big Island, Maui is a great option for those looking to experience a bit of both worlds. While you won’t find any skyscrapers on the island, there is a busy downtown center and several touristy areas that offer nightlife, shopping and plenty of other things to do in Maui. And for those looking to get away from it all, the island is home to several small residential communities located in more remote settings.

Unfortunately, this best of both worlds approach does come with a high price point, as the cost of living in Maui is quite high. According to the most recent real estate market statistics, the average cost of a single-family home in Maui currently sits at 1.1 million dollars, exceeding even that of Oahu, which is generally considered to be the most expensive island. Condos are quite pricey as well, averaging about $740,000. That being said, if you can afford it, Maui is an excellent destination for homeowners who are looking for a relaxing environment that offers easy access to all the comforts of the city.

Maui was ultimately our choice – and we love it here. One thing to consider is that the local population is quite low at just 168,000. My gf and I run our own businesses and with less locals, it means less business. Thus it was harder to get our businesses going here, Oahu with a population of 1.1 million would have been a lot closer to what we’re familiar with in Las Vegas.

Unless you’re quite wealthy, home ownership will be difficult to achieve in Maui. In Las Vegas, 3/2 bath homes in good areas were under $300k, the same homes here would be at least $1 million. For home ownership, the Big Island might be a better place to look for many.

Oahu

Home to the state’s capital city, Honolulu, the island of Oahu is the most populated and most visited by tourists. As you might expect, this means Oahu is a bit more crowded than the other islands but also more developed. Here you’ll find a bustling city with skyscrapers, fine dining restaurants, entertainment venues, large shopping centers, luxurious resorts, and a plethora of public transportation. Considered by many to be the heart of Hawaii, this tropical city also plays host to a large surfing community, several military installations, as well as the University of Hawaii. It’s not all city here though, despite the crowds, it’s still possible to escape into the undeveloped portions of the island to explore its lush jungles, pristine beaches, and breathtaking mountains.

With all this in mind, it should come as no surprise to hear that Oahu has a pretty high cost of living. Similar to Maui, the average price of a single-family home on the island is just over 1 million dollars. However, condos are a bit more affordable, average just under $500,000. You can also expect to spend more on food, transportation, gas, and entertainment here. That being said, Oahu does provide more job opportunities than any of the other islands, and many of those jobs offer high salaries that help to offset the cost of living. So if you can find a good job, it’s certainly possible to live a comfortable life here.

Big Island

Known by many as the Big Island, Hawaii Island is the state’s largest and youngest island – it also happens to be the perfect destination for adventurous home buyers. With a plethora of natural sights to explore, including active volcanoes, black sand beaches, impressive waterfalls, and stunning coastlines, there’s so much to do and see here. While most of the island is pretty remote and rural, there are two main towns, Hilo and Kailua-Kona, where many of the island’s modern conveniences can be found. This includes everything from restaurants to shopping, postal services, water infrastructure, and public transportation. Once you get outside of these towns, services and infrastructure tend to be minimal, so many residents do end up living within the town centers. However, it is possible to build a home further out from town and live off the land.

Given the remote nature of the island, as well as an abundance of available land, the cost of living here is cheaper than you’ll find on the other islands. The average cost of a single-family home here comes in at just over $500,000, with condos offering similar prices that hover around $485,000. That being said, it’s worth noting that employment can be challenging to find, given the limited number of jobs available on the island. So if you can, it’s beneficial to secure a job beforehand or at least save up funds to live off of before you move to the Big Island.

Kauai

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauai is the oldest, most remote, and least populated island on our list. Offering tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, and untouched mountain spires, this island is the perfect location for those looking to get away from it all. In addition to its stunning natural scenery, you can expect to find small country towns brimming with traditional Hawaiian culture, as well as a variety of expansive ranches, plantations, and natural preserves. Since the island is quite remote, infrastructure and modern conveniences are typically centered around tourist hubs. However, they are still accessible, given that the island is relatively small and easy to navigate.

Despite the simplistic lifestyle that permeates Kauai, the cost of living here is still quite high. In fact, housing is higher here than on any of the other islands. This can largely be attributed to the limited supply of homes, which has resulted in a very competitive real estate market. Generally speaking, the average cost of a single-family home in Kauai comes in at more than 1.6 million dollars. Condos, however, are a bit more affordable, averaging about $600,000. It should also be taken into consideration that employment can be challenging to obtain on the island, as the majority of jobs here are either in the agriculture or tourism industry. If you’re looking for a job in any other field, you’ll have difficulty finding one unless you work remotely.

Final Thoughts on Moving to Hawaii

Each Hawaiian island offers a unique and exciting opportunity to experience and embrace island life. From Oahu’s tropical, urban environment to the remote, jungle habitat of Kauai, the adventurous, rural setting of the Big Island, and Maui, which provides a little bit of everything – Hawaii truly has something to offer everyone. And the best part about it all is that no matter which island you end up choosing, you’ll still be able to call paradise home!

References:

• Go Hawaii: https://www.gohawaii.com/
• Real Estate & Living Hawaii: https://realhawaii.co/blog/hawaiian-islands-which-island-to-live-on
• Royal Hawaiian Movers: https://www.royalhawaiianmovers.com/best-hawaiian-island-to-live-on/
• Hawaii Guide: https://www.hawaii-guide.com/moving-to-hawaii
• Living in Hawaii: https://www.livinginhawaii.com/which-hawaiian-island-is-right-for-you/
• Hawaii.com: https://www.hawaii.com/travel/deciding-where-to-live/
• Compass Realty: https://www.dwellhawaii.com/blog/what-cost-living-hawaii-2020/
• Locations: https://www.locationshawaii.com/learn/market-reports/