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Moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

WI state flag
Living now

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

Median household income $72,458 · winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days

Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

HI state flag
Moving to

Hawaii

Capital: Honolulu

Median household income $94,814 · winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days

Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

Hawaii has an overall price level 110.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Hawaii
110.0
Hawaii has 17% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Hawaii
125.3
Hawaii has 58% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Hawaii
102.5
Hawaii has 4.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Hawaii
101.5
Hawaii has 2.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Hawaii
42.2 ¢/kWh
Hawaii has 125% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Hawaii
102.0
Hawaii has 3.2% higher transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Hawaii
$875,900
Hawaii is 197% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Hawaii
$1,579/mo
Hawaii is 61% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Hawaii
87°F
Hawaii is 7.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Hawaii
65°F
Hawaii is 622% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Hawaii
72°F
Hawaii is 62% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Hawaii
271
Hawaii has 44% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Hawaii
57 in
Hawaii is 71% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Hawaii
17
Hawaii has 57% lower AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Hawaii
0 in
Hawaii is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinHawaii report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii than Wisconsin?

Hawaii's overall price level is roughly 113.2 (US avg = 100), vs about 93.5 for Wisconsin — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Wisconsin tops out at 7.65% income tax. Hawaii tops out at 11%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Hawaii?

Most Hawaii residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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