Who would ever want to leave Hawaii? With its lush mountains and ocean breezes it’s truly a paradise. Yet some Hawaiians are saying goodbye to the Aloha State. Does the state have one of the best cities for weather?
To determine where people from Hawaii are moving to the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, revealing the number of people living in other states (or Washington D.C.) in 2019 who had lived in Hawaii the previous year. State population estimates are also from the ACS and are for residents age 1 and older. All rankings are out of a universe of 49 states and the District of Columbia. (See how every state’s population has changed since 2010.)
So why are they leaving? The main reason is financial. To live in paradise, you pay a high price. In a 2019 poll by Pacific Resource Partnership, 45% of the island residents surveyed said they were leaving the state or considering a move. Of those contemplating leaving, 47% named the cost of living as the most important reason.
Yet when they do relocate, Hawaiians aren’t willing to forgo some of their home state’s advantages, however. They want a warm climate, so California is their most desired destination. In 2019, nearly 12,000 Hawaiians, or about 18% of those leaving the state, made their way to the Golden State. (On the other hand, see where people in California are moving to the most.)
Texas was the second most preferred destination for Hawaiians. It gained 7,000 or 10% of those exiting the state. The Eastern U.S. was apparently a trek too far for Hawaiians, however. Not one moved to Delaware, the District of Columbia, or Rhode Island. North Dakota didn’t welcome any Hawaiians, either, and only two relocated to Vermont.
Click here to see where people from Hawaii are moving to the most
Source: Dana Dagle Photography / iStock via Getty Images
50. Delaware
> People from Hawaii who moved to Delaware in 2019: None reported
> Total new residents from out of state: 38,014 (0.0% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 964,817
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
49. District of Columbia
> People from Hawaii who moved to District of Columbia in 2019: None reported
> Total new residents from out of state: 58,879 (0.0% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 697,556
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
48. North Dakota
> People from Hawaii who moved to North Dakota in 2019: None reported > Total new residents from out of state: 36,668 (0.0% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 750,501
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
47. Rhode Island
> People from Hawaii who moved to Rhode Island in 2019: None reported
> Total new residents from out of state: 34,984 (0.0% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,050,602
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Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
46. Vermont
> People from Hawaii who moved to Vermont in 2019: 2 (0.00% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 21,212 (0.01% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 617,560
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
45. Minnesota
> People from Hawaii who moved to Minnesota in 2019: 30 (0.04% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 106,920 (0.03% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 5,575,235
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44. Montana
> People from Hawaii who moved to Montana in 2019: 32 (0.05% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 40,862 (0.08% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,056,994
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
43. Wyoming
> People from Hawaii who moved to Wyoming in 2019: 33 (0.05% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 30,247 (0.11% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 572,884
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Iowa
> People from Hawaii who moved to Iowa in 2019: 71 (0.10% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 72,651 (0.10% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 3,121,385
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
41. Indiana
> People from Hawaii who moved to Indiana in 2019: 90 (0.13% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 151,443 (0.06% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 6,656,971
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
40. Arkansas
> People from Hawaii who moved to Arkansas in 2019: 118 (0.17% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 59,723 (0.20% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 2,989,054
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
39. South Dakota
> People from Hawaii who moved to South Dakota in 2019: 131 (0.19% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 26,934 (0.49% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 872,708
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
38. New Hampshire
> People from Hawaii who moved to New Hampshire in 2019: 153 (0.22% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 50,288 (0.30% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,350,155
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. Kansas
> People from Hawaii who moved to Kansas in 2019: 167 (0.24% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 94,648 (0.18% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 2,879,518
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
36. Louisiana
> People from Hawaii who moved to Louisiana in 2019: 175 (0.26% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 67,640 (0.26% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 4,595,111
Source: yenwen / E+ via Getty Images
35. Alaska
> People from Hawaii who moved to Alaska in 2019: 217 (0.32% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 34,031 (0.64% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 722,063
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
34. New Jersey
> People from Hawaii who moved to New Jersey in 2019: 218 (0.32% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 149,260 (0.15% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 8,791,672
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
33. Mississippi
> People from Hawaii who moved to Mississippi in 2019: 221 (0.32% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 61,683 (0.36% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 2,943,737
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. West Virginia
> People from Hawaii who moved to West Virginia in 2019: 256 (0.37% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 39,548 (0.65% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,773,280
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31. Wisconsin
> People from Hawaii who moved to Wisconsin in 2019: 283 (0.41% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 107,973 (0.26% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 5,760,481
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
30. Maine
> People from Hawaii who moved to Maine in 2019: 372 (0.54% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 36,129 (1.03% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,331,656
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
29. Nebraska
> People from Hawaii who moved to Nebraska in 2019: 438 (0.64% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 46,064 (0.95% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,910,711
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
28. Massachusetts
> People from Hawaii who moved to Massachusetts in 2019: 449 (0.66% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 144,079 (0.31% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 6,828,110
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
27. Tennessee
> People from Hawaii who moved to Tennessee in 2019: 522 (0.76% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 196,765 (0.27% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 6,754,461
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
26. Ohio
> People from Hawaii who moved to Ohio in 2019: 587 (0.86% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 205,542 (0.29% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 11,556,037
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
25. Idaho
> People from Hawaii who moved to Idaho in 2019: 599 (0.88% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 78,730 (0.76% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 1,764,327
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
24. Alabama
> People from Hawaii who moved to Alabama in 2019: 668 (0.98% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 104,780 (0.64% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 4,849,509
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Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images
23. Illinois
> People from Hawaii who moved to Illinois in 2019: 767 (1.12% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 190,627 (0.40% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 12,536,539
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
22. Utah
> People from Hawaii who moved to Utah in 2019: 773 (1.13% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 95,608 (0.81% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 3,162,102
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. Kentucky
> People from Hawaii who moved to Kentucky in 2019: 804 (1.18% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 100,057 (0.80% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 4,421,512
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
20. Missouri
> People from Hawaii who moved to Missouri in 2019: 875 (1.28% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 152,345 (0.57% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 6,069,697
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Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
19. Connecticut
> People from Hawaii who moved to Connecticut in 2019: 912 (1.33% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 90,044 (1.01% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 3,531,986
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
18. New Mexico
> People from Hawaii who moved to New Mexico in 2019: 949 (1.39% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 55,545 (1.71% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 2,073,628
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
17. Maryland
> People from Hawaii who moved to Maryland in 2019: 1,059 (1.55% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 141,766 (0.75% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 5,979,602
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
16. Michigan
> People from Hawaii who moved to Michigan in 2019: 1,124 (1.64% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 132,008 (0.85% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 9,880,758
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
15. South Carolina
> People from Hawaii who moved to South Carolina in 2019: 1,280 (1.87% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 176,008 (0.73% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 5,092,727
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
14. New York
> People from Hawaii who moved to New York in 2019: 1,301 (1.90% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 254,806 (0.51% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 19,240,920
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. Pennsylvania
> People from Hawaii who moved to Pennsylvania in 2019: 1,325 (1.94% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 267,465 (0.50% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 12,670,245
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
12. Oklahoma
> People from Hawaii who moved to Oklahoma in 2019: 1,531 (2.24% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 101,844 (1.50% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 3,907,258
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
11. Virginia
> People from Hawaii who moved to Virginia in 2019: 1,807 (2.64% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 264,855 (0.68% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 8,439,982
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Georgia
> People from Hawaii who moved to Georgia in 2019: 2,069 (3.02% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 284,541 (0.73% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 10,499,808
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
9. Colorado
> People from Hawaii who moved to Colorado in 2019: 2,782 (4.07% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 240,600 (1.16% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 5,701,658
Source: JPLDesigns / iStock via Getty Images
8. Oregon
> People from Hawaii who moved to Oregon in 2019: 2,798 (4.09% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 129,921 (2.15% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 4,178,578
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
7. North Carolina
> People from Hawaii who moved to North Carolina in 2019: 2,955 (4.32% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 315,215 (0.94% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 10,371,906
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Source: mvp64 / iStock via Getty Images
6. Nevada
> People from Hawaii who moved to Nevada in 2019: 3,612 (5.28% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 132,950 (2.72% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 3,048,602
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Florida
> People from Hawaii who moved to Florida in 2019: 4,103 (6.00% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 601,611 (0.68% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 21,269,409
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Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
4. Arizona
> People from Hawaii who moved to Arizona in 2019: 4,942 (7.22% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 253,295 (1.95% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 7,200,620
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
3. Washington
> People from Hawaii who moved to Washington in 2019: 5,855 (8.56% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 231,956 (2.52% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 7,527,366
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
2. Texas
> People from Hawaii who moved to Texas in 2019: 6,977 (10.20% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 559,661 (1.25% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 28,642,658
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1. California
> People from Hawaii who moved to California in 2019: 11,985 (17.52% of all outbound Hawaiians)
> Total new residents from out of state: 480,204 (2.50% from Hawaii)
> Population, age 1 and up: 39,084,048
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