Hawaii to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Poke vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs prairie, craftsman), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in Wisconsin is 57.36% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Hawaii to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin
- High cost of living
- Limited space/isolation
- Spectacular but costly housing
- Import dependency
- Hurricane risks
- Lower cost of living
- Spacious land availability
- Affordable housing options
- Local produce and goods
- Reduced natural disaster threats
- Absence of ocean
- Cold winters
- Faster-paced lifestyle
- Lesser cultural activities
- Common wildlife
- Beautiful beaches
- Tropical climate
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Rich cultural heritage
- Unique wildlife
Pros of moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from limited space and isolation and moving to Wisconsin with spacious land availability
- Swap the spectacular but costly housing of Hawaii for affordable housing options in Wisconsin
- Get ready for local produce and goods in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with the absence of the ocean in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of the tropical climate and have to settle with the con of cold winters
- Time to bid farewell to the laid-back lifestyle and get used to the faster-paced lifestyle in Wisconsin
- Swap the rich cultural heritage for lesser cultural activities
Hawaii vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pig | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Spam Musubi | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Taro | Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pig and sumptuous Spam Musubi, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Taro they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Leonard's Bakery, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Matsumoto Shave Ice. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Murphy's Bar & Grill, and Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and Wisconsin
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean view, Lanai | Lakefront, Wooded lot |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and lanais, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront properties and wooded lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Wisconsin is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Hawaii’s $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 57.36% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and Wisconsin
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tsunamis | Snowstorms, Tornados |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 70°F | 82°F / 62°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 78°F / 63°F | 28°F / 13°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 32% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- Wisconsin 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 50 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 31 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and Wisconsin
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.28% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Military, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 23% less than in Hawaii
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 42% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- The state income tax in WI is 3.54% - 7.65% compared to 1.4% - 11% in HI
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to high in Hawaii
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to moderate in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Hawaii and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratically Dominant | Mixed, with Swing State Characteristics |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on Native Hawaiian rights and environmental issues | Focused on manufacturing, agriculture, and education |
Religion | A diverse mix with a significant Buddhist and Shinto influence | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic presence |
- Hawaii tends to lean democratically dominant in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with swing state characteristics
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Catholic presence
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse mix with a significant Buddhist and Shinto influence
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin
Comparison | Hawaii | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Pacific University Chaminade University of Honolulu | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Manoa Elementary - Honolulu Noelani Elementary - Honolulu Maemae Elementary School - Honolulu | Randall Consolidated School - Burlington Elm Lawn Elementary - Middleton Lake Shore Middle School - Mequon |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu | Whitefish Bay Middle - Whitefish Bay Longfellow Middle - Wauwatosa Lake Shore Middle School - Mequon |
Top 3 High School Schools | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu | Whitefish Bay High - Whitefish Bay Brookfield East High - Brookfield Arrowhead High - Hartland |
Top 3 private high schools | Iolani School - Honolulu Punahou School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Marquette University High School - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iolani School - Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus - Honolulu Le Jardin Academy - Kailua | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield Prairie School - Racine |
Top 3 School Districts | Hawaii Department of Education (State Operated) | Elmbrook School District - Brookfield Whitefish Bay School District - Whitefish Bay Shorewood School District - Shorewood |
Top Hawaii to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Hawaii to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.