Minnesota to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a interstate move from Minnesota to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm year-round), food & health (like Hotdish vs Poke), real estate & housing (prairie, victorian vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pig
- Hawaii housing costs are 159% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Hawaii is 75.97% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Hawaii movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Hawaii Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Hawaii
- Harsh winters
- Limited beaches
- Flat landscapes
- Severe thunderstorms
- Warm year-round
- Abundant coastlines
- Scenic volcanoes
- Mild rain showers
- Higher cost of living
- Expensive real estate
- No winter sports
- Tourist crowds
- Vibrant arts scene
- Affordable housing
- Four seasons
- Lush greenery
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Hawaii
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to warm year-round
- Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to Hawaii with abundant coastlines
- Swap the flat landscapes of Minnesota for scenic volcanoes in Hawaii
- Get ready for mild rain showers in Hawaii
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Hawaii
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant arts scene in Minnesota to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
- You'll lose out on the pro of affordable housing and have to settle for the con of expensive real estate
- Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to no winter sports in Hawaii
- Swap lush greenery for tourist crowds
Minnesota vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Kalua Pig |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Taro Dishes |
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 Minnesota to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pig and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Dishes of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Jucy Lucy, and Al's Breakfast. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Leonard's Bakery, and Waikiki Yokocho.
When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Hawaii
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Victorian | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Ocean view, Sustainable features |
- The Prairie and Victorian architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and sustainable features.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Hawaii is less walkable than Minnesota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Hawaii housing costs are 159% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Hawaii is 75.97% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Hawaii
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 198 days | 271 days |
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Volcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 88Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 8Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-32 inches | 10-100 inches (varies significantly by location) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 45-70 inches | 0 inches (except for mountain tops) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 37% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Hawaii has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and hurricanes in Hawaii.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 5 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 55 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Hawaii
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% | 4.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.02% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.4% | 4.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food Production | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 12% more than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Hawaii will be 68% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in HI is 4.4% compared to 5.35% in MN
- The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and high in Hawaii
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Hawaii
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative rural areas and liberal urban centers | Liberal, with a focus on environmental and indigenous issues |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Blend of Christianity, Buddhism, and Indigenous spirituality |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a blend of Christianity, Buddhism, and Indigenous spirituality
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Hawaii
Comparison | Minnesota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Minnesota State University Mankato; St. Cloud State University | University of Hawaii at Manoa; Hawaii Pacific University; Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; Creek Valley Elementary Edina; Gleason Lake Elementary Plymouth | Pauoa Elementary Honolulu; Manoa Elementary Honolulu; Noelani Elementary Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth; Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Eden Prairie Central Middle School Eden Prairie | Iolani School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu |
Top 3 High Schools | Edina High School Edina; Minnetonka High School Minnetonka; Wayzata High School Plymouth | President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu; President William McKinley High School Honolulu; Henry J. Kaiser High School Honolulu |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis; Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis | Iolani School Honolulu; Punahou School Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Honolulu |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District; Edina Public Schools; Wayzata Public Schools | Hawaii Department of Education (Statewide) |
Top Minnesota to Hawaii Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.