Hawaii to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs colonial, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pig, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Juicy Lucy
- Minnesota housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Minnesota is 43.17% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Hawaii to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Minnesota
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Remote location
- Vulnerable to natural disasters
- Tourist-heavy
- Affordable housing
- Diverse job market
- Central location in U.S.
- Less natural disaster risk
- More tranquil lifestyle
- Harsh winters
- Severe weather changes
- Faster pace
- Less diversity
- Limited outdoor winter activities
- Beautiful beaches
- Year-round warm climate
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Cultural diversity
- Island adventures
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Minnesota with a diverse job market
- Swap the remote location of Hawaii for a central location in the U.S. in Minnesota
- Get ready for less natural disaster risk in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with harsh winters in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a year-round warm climate and have to settle with the con of severe weather changes
- Time to bid farewell to a laid-back lifestyle and get used to a faster pace in Minnesota
- Swap cultural diversity for less diversity
Hawaii vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Food Truck Walleye |
Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowl | Vegan Hotdish |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Juicy Lucy and Food Truck Walleye to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Hotdish of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Ono Seafood, and Leonard's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and The Smack Shack.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Minnesota
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Colonial, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, Lanais | Lakefront, Large yards |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront properties and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Minnesota housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Minnesota is 43.17% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Minnesota
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanoes, Tropical Storms | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 24Β°F / 8Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 28 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 54 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 29% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and tropical storms in Hawaii, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 2 degrees colder than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 55 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 35 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Minnesota
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 11% | 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.30% | 1.15% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 7.375% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 11% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Minnesota is 40% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 11% in HI
- The affluence in Minnesota is average compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Hawaii and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Community-oriented | Community and Environmentally focused |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Buddhist and Christian population | Primarily Christian, with a strong Lutheran presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Lutheran presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a significant Buddhist and Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Minnesota
Comparison | Hawaii | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu; Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu; Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu | University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis; Minnesota State University Mankato; University of St. Thomas Saint Paul |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maemae Elementary School Honolulu; Aina Haina Elementary School Honolulu; Manoa Elementary School Honolulu | Deephaven Elementary School Wayzata; Greenwood Elementary School Plymouth; Countryside Elementary School Edina |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kaimuki Middle School Honolulu; Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Wayzata East Middle School Plymouth; Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth |
Top 3 High Schools | President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu; President William McKinley High School Honolulu; Moanalua High School Honolulu | Edina High School Edina; Minnetonka High School Minnetonka; Wayzata High School Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School Saint Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School Saint Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Statewide; Le Jardin Academy Kailua | Edina Public Schools Edina; Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka; Wayzata Public Schools Wayzata |
Top Hawaii to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.