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Wisconsin to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from Wisconsin to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs warm climate), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Poke), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pork
  • Hawaii housing costs are 191% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
  • Rent in Hawaii is 134.54% more expensive than in Wisconsin
  • Our top recommended Wisconsin to Hawaii movers is Elite Movers

Wisconsin to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii

ConsWisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited beach access
  • Isolation from coast
  • Flat landscapes
  • Short summers
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Warm climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Ocean proximity
  • Scenic mountains
  • Year-round warmth

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • Higher cost of living
  • Tourist influx
  • Natural disasters risk
  • Hawaiian language
Wisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Affordable cost
  • Community feel
  • Local festivals
  • No language barrier

Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a warm climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to Hawaii with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the isolation from the coast of Wisconsin for ocean proximity in Hawaii
  • Get ready for scenic mountains in Hawaii

Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from an affordable cost in Wisconsin to live with a higher cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a community feel and have to settle with the con of tourist influx
  • Time to bid farewell to local festivals and get used to the risk of natural disasters in Hawaii
  • Swap no language barrier for the Hawaiian language

Wisconsin vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Most iconic local food itemCheese CurdsPoke
Most popular meat dishBratwurstKalua Pork
Most popular street food itemFried Cheese CurdsSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerTofu Poke
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Leonard's Bakery
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice
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 Wisconsin to Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pork and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Poke of Hawaii. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like Rare Steakhouse, The Old Fashioned, and Culver's. 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 Matsumoto Shave Ice.

When comparing lifestyles, Hawaii shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Hawaii, compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Hawaii.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Hawaii

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, RanchPlantation, 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 listingSpacious yards, Natural landscapesOcean views, Proximity to beaches
  • The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and natural landscapes, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to beaches.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than Wisconsin.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 191% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $858,106 compared to Wisconsin’s $294,909.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased 38% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 134.54% more expensive than in Wisconsin.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Hawaii

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
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 DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F85Β°F / 70Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)28Β°F / 13Β°F78Β°F / 63Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3263
Annual Snowfall (Inches)480 (except mountain tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 43% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
  • Hawaii has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tsunamis in Hawaii.
  • The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
  • The average winter lows are 50 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 31 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Hawaii

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Avg. Household Income$70,996$92,458
Cost of Living Index95.65165.7
State Income Tax7.65%11%
Avg. Property Tax1.68%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax5.50%4.50%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareTourism, Military, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyMediumHigh
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 30% more than those in Wisconsin
  • The COLI in Hawaii is 73% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
  • The state income tax in HI is 11% compared to 7.65% in WI
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
  • The poverty level is high in Hawaii compared to medium poverty in Wisconsin
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Hawaii

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Political Make-upBattleground state with mixed political leaningsStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries by region; urban areas tend to lean Democratic, rural areas are more RepublicanLocal politics heavily influenced by Democratic ideologies, with emphasis on environmental and cultural preservation
ReligionChristianity predominates, diverse religious communities in urban areasMix of Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs, reflecting its diverse population
  • Wisconsin tends to lean as a battleground state with mixed political leanings in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as a mix of Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs, reflecting its diverse population
  • Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii

ComparisonWisconsinHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Marquette University
Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSwan School
Madison Randall Elementary School
Madison Shorewood Hills Elementary
Madison
Manoa Elementary
Honolulu Momilani Elementary
Pearl City Maemae Elementary
Honolulu
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School
Wauwatosa Pilgrim Park Middle School
Elm Grove Whitefish Bay Middle
Whitefish Bay
Iolani School
Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus
Honolulu Punahou School
Honolulu
Top 3 High SchoolsBrookfield East High School
Brookfield Middleton High School
Middleton Eau Claire Memorial High
Eau Claire
Iolani School
Honolulu Punahou School
Honolulu Moanalua High School
Honolulu
Top 3 private high schoolsUniversity School of Milwaukee
Milwaukee Marquette University High School
Milwaukee Wayland Academy
Beaver Dam
Iolani School
Honolulu Punahou School
Honolulu Hawai'i Preparatory Academy
Waimea
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsUniversity School of Milwaukee
Milwaukee St. John's Northwestern Academies
Delafield Wayland Academy
Beaver Dam
Iolani School
Honolulu Punahou School
Honolulu Le Jardin Academy
Kailua
Top 3 School DistrictsMiddleton-Cross Plains Area School District
Middleton Elmbrook School District
Brookfield Whitefish Bay School District
Whitefish Bay
Hawaii Department of Education
Honolulu (Statewide)

Top Wisconsin to Hawaii Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Hawaii movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Elite Movers featured image

Elite Movers

Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Hawaii

9.58/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
MACS Moving and Storage featured image

MACS Moving and Storage

9.43/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
About Time Moving Systems LLC featured image

About Time Moving Systems LLC

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details

Milwaukee to Hawaii

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