Relocating to the Big Island from the Mainland: What to Know

Relocating to the Big Island from the mainland starts with choosing the right area, since each side of the island has a different climate and cost. Plan early for shipping, pets, insurance, and internet, and know that a local agent can preview homes and manage a purchase from a distance.

Key takeaways

• Each side of the Big Island has a different climate and cost.

• Choose the area first, then the home.

• Plan early for shipping, pets, insurance, and internet.

• A local agent can preview homes and manage a remote purchase.

How do I choose where to live on the Big Island?

Relocating buyers face a problem local buyers do not. They often choose a neighborhood from photographs, a map, and a few days of visiting. The Big Island is large and its districts are genuinely different from one another in climate, cost, infrastructure, and daily life. Kona is dry and sunny. Hilo is wet. Waimea is cool and open. A buyer who loves one may be unhappy in another.

Practical questions come up early and matter more than most mainland buyers expect. Is the property on county water or catchment? Is high speed internet available at that address? How far is the drive to a grocery store, a hospital, or an airport? What does insurance cost here?

Get those questions answered for each address before you buy. A local agent can work with buyers remotely through video walkthroughs, inspection coordination, and closing from out of state. Brokerages such as eXp Realty can also connect relocating buyers with agents in their current market when a mainland home needs to sell first.

Kona compared with other parts of the island

Kona and the Kohala Coast on the west side are sunny and dry, with most of the island's resorts, beaches, and visitor services. Waimea, in the hills to the north, is cooler and greener. Hilo and the east side get much more rain and tend to cost less. Maile grew up in Captain Cook in South Kona and is based in Kona. Decide which area fits your work, budget, and daily life before you choose a home.

Practical steps for the move

Moving to Hawaiʻi takes planning. Cars and household goods travel by ship, which takes time and adds cost. Hawaiʻi has entry rules for pets that should be started months ahead. Buyers should also check internet service at a specific address, the drive to the hospital and airport, and schools if they have children.

Renting first or buying right away

Some people rent for a few months to learn the island before buying. Others buy before they arrive, especially when rentals are scarce. There is no single right answer. Weigh both paths. Buyers who choose to buy first can have a local agent manage the purchase from a distance.

Common questions

Is it expensive to move to the Big Island?

Shipping a household and a car adds cost, and groceries, electricity, and insurance are higher than in much of the mainland. Housing costs vary widely by area.

Can I buy a home on the Big Island before I move?

Yes. Many buyers do. An agent can preview homes, arrange inspections, and coordinate a closing with documents signed where the buyer lives.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, animal quarantine; County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office.

About the author: Maile Woodhall (pronounced Miley) is a licensed Hawaiʻi REALTOR (RS-88019) with The Agency Team Hawaii, eXp Realty (RB-21841), born and raised in Kona. Questions? Call or text (808) 482-5800.

Related guides: Buying a home in Kona; How to Sell a Luxury Home in Kona: A Listing Agent's Guide; Buying a Home in Kona, Hawaii: Areas, Steps, and Costs; Buying a Second Home in Kona: Rental Rules, Taxes, and Upkeep.

Last updated: October 2026.