Quick answer
Minnesota has lower average 1BR rent ($1,380/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Hawaii (11% (top)) vs Minnesota (Up to 9.85%) — on a $120K salary that's $3,420/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs Minnesota
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Hawaii vs Minnesota at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $320K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Minneapolis ($1,380) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Minneapolis ($1,380) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) ✓ | Up to 9.85% |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 | 69/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 1 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Hawaii (11% (top)).
Salary $80K
$2,280
/year saved in Hawaii
Salary $120K
$3,420
/year saved in Hawaii
Salary $200K
$5,700
/year saved in Hawaii
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
Minnesota (MN)
Tax reality
Minnesota has a progressive state income tax topping at 9.85% for income over $185K. Property tax is moderate (~1.1% effective). No estate tax under $3M. Not a tax-friendly state for high earners, but quality-of-public-services reflects it.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are the defining drawback. -10°F, -20°F wind chills, 4+ months of snow cover, and limited daylight. December sunset is at 4:30pm. This is not exaggerated.
- ✕State income tax is progressive and tops out at 9.85% — high relative to the Midwest average.
- ✕Summer is short but genuinely lovely — 75-85°F, humid but not oppressive, 15+ hours of daylight. The flip side is it lasts maybe 10 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or Minnesota cheaper to live in?
Minnesota has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,380/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $720/mo difference. Home prices: Minnesota median is $320K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Minnesota: which has lower state income tax?
Hawaii has lower state income tax (11% (top)) vs Up to 9.85% in Minnesota. On an $80K salary that's $2,280/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $5,700/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Minnesota?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Minnesota?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Minnesota's largest metros include Minneapolis. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.