Hawaii to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Coney Dog), real estate & housing (plantation style, modern vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Coney Dog & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Michigan is 50.54% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Hawaii to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Michigan
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Island fever
- Traffic congestion
- More affordable housing
- Diverse job market
- Vast landscapes
- Efficient transportation
- Harsh winter weather
- Less cultural variety
- Cold climate
- Limited beach access
- Stunning beaches
- Cultural diversity
- Warm climate
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Michigan
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Michigan with a diverse job market
- Swap the island fever of Hawaii for vast landscapes in Michigan
- Get ready for efficient transportation in Michigan
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning beaches in Hawaii to live with harsh winter weather in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle with the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to the warm climate and get used to a cold climate in Michigan
- Swap outdoor activities for limited beach access
Hawaii vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Coney Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pork | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Poke | Vegan Coney |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Hawaii to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Coney Dog of Michigan. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Shave Ice, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Poke they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Coney of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Ono Hawaiian Foods, and Leonard's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Zingerman's Delicatessen.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Michigan
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation Style, Modern | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Beach access, lanais | Lakeside access, spacious yards |
- The Plantation Style and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference beach access and lanais, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Michigan is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Michigan is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Michigan has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Michigan housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Michigan is 50.54% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Michigan
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tsunamis | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Michigan. Michigan gets 39% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tsunamis in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 46 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 31 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Michigan
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.30% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.44% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Automotive, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Variable |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 28% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Michigan will be 45% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 1.4% to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Michigan is variable compared to moderate in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Michigan
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Mixed, with a tendency to swing |
Local Politics | Democratic dominance in local government | Varied, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Religion | Mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto | Primarily Christian, with diverse denominations |
- Hawaii tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a tendency to swing
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with diverse denominations
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Michigan
Comparison | Hawaii | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University University of Hawaii at Hilo | University of Michigan Michigan State University Michigan Technological University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Momilani Elementary School (Pearl City) Mililani Mauka Elementary School (Mililani) Noelani Elementary School (Honolulu) | Bates Elementary School (Dexter) Deerfield Elementary School (Novi) Spring Mills Elementary School (Highland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Washington Middle School (Honolulu) Niu Valley Middle School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy Middle School (Kailua) | West Middle School (Rochester Hills) East Middle School (Grand Blanc) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High Schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Kamehameha Schools Kapalama (Honolulu) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) City Middle/High School (Grand Rapids) Troy High School (Troy) |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Mid-Pacific Institute (Honolulu) | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School (Honolulu) Punahou School (Honolulu) Le Jardin Academy (Kailua) | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (statewide) | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Novi Community School District Troy School District |
Top Hawaii to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.