Wisconsin to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited beach access
- Isolation from coast
- Flat landscapes
- Short summers
- Warm climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Ocean proximity
- Scenic mountains
- Year-round warmth
- Higher cost of living
- Tourist influx
- Natural disasters risk
- Hawaiian language
- 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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Kalua Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Tofu Poke |
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 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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Natural landscapes | Ocean 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 Wisconsinβs $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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 0 (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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 7.65% | 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 4.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Tourism, Military, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Medium | High |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with mixed political leanings | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies by region; urban areas tend to lean Democratic, rural areas are more Republican | Local politics heavily influenced by Democratic ideologies, with emphasis on environmental and cultural preservation |
Religion | Christianity predominates, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Mix 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
Comparison | Wisconsin | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Swan School Madison Randall Elementary School Madison Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison | Manoa Elementary Honolulu Momilani Elementary Pearl City Maemae Elementary Honolulu |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow 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 Schools | Brookfield 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 schools | University 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 schools | University 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 Districts | Middleton-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.