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Minnesota to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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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

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited beaches
  • Flat landscapes
  • Severe thunderstorms
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm year-round
  • Abundant coastlines
  • Scenic volcanoes
  • Mild rain showers

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Expensive real estate
  • No winter sports
  • Tourist crowds
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemHotdishPoke
Most popular meat dishWalleyeKalua Pig
Most popular street food itemJucy LucySpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Matt's Bar
  • The Jucy Lucy
  • Al's Breakfast
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Waikiki Yokocho
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
Typical Architecture StylePrairie, VictorianPlantation, Modern
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLake access, Spacious yardsOcean 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 Minnesota’s $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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
Days of Sunshine per Year198 days271 days
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, TornadoesVolcanic Eruptions, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F88Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 8Β°F78Β°F / 63Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-32 inches10-100 inches (varies significantly by location)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)45-70 inches0 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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$82,338$92,458
Cost of Living Index98.75165.7
State Income Tax5.35%4.4%
Avg. Property Tax1.02%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax7.4%4.44%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, Food ProductionTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
Political Make-upMixed, leans DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of conservative rural areas and liberal urban centersLiberal, with a focus on environmental and indigenous issues
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesBlend 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

ComparisonMinnesotaHawaii
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 SchoolsScenic Heights Elementary
Minnetonka; Creek Valley Elementary
Edina; Gleason Lake Elementary
Plymouth
Pauoa Elementary
Honolulu; Manoa Elementary
Honolulu; Noelani Elementary
Honolulu
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayzata 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 SchoolsEdina 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 schoolsBreck 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 schoolsMinnehaha Academy
Minneapolis; Breck School
Golden Valley; Blake School
Minneapolis
Iolani School
Honolulu; Punahou School
Honolulu; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus
Honolulu
Top 3 School DistrictsMinnetonka Public School District; Edina Public Schools; Wayzata Public SchoolsHawaii 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.

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Hawaii

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Goal Line Moving featured image

Goal Line Moving

9.27/10
ExceptionalView details

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