There’s a lot to think about when moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Hawaii DMV to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Hawaii state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license to Hawaii upon establishing residency.
Transfer your vehicles & get Hawaii license plates within 30 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Hawaii and Wisconsin.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Hawaii.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Hawaii property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Hawaii DMV to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Wisconsin to Hawaii.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Hawaii.
Moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Wisconsin license & registration to Hawaii.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Hawaii here.
Cost of Moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Wisconsin to Hawaii will cost.
The rough distance between Hawaii and Wisconsin is 4,095 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Wisconsin to Hawaii
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Hawaii
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Hawaii
When you move to Hawaii, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Hawaii.
Hawaii Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Hawaii, the minimum liability coverage is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $10,000 personal injury protection.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$344
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,275
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Hawaii Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$382
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be lower in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay less for your home insurance policy in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Will you own or rent your home?
Hawaii Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Hawaii.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Hawaii
Higher
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin
Transfer your Wisconsin Driver’s License
upon establishing residency.
After you’ve moved to Hawaii, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Wisconsin Car Registration
within 30 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Hawaii license plates.
When you become a resident of Hawaii, you’ll need to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Hawaii. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Hawaii is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $10,000 personal injury protection.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Hawaii for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Wisconsin Driver’s License to Hawaii
Minimum Age for a Hawaii Driver’s License
17 years old
A standard Hawaii driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 17 years old.
Hawaii Driver’s License Expires
every 8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 8 years.
Hawaii Driver’s License Cost
$20.00
A driver’s license will cost around $20.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Hawaii is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Hawaii driver’s license upon establishing residency.
In Hawaii, driver’s licenses are issued by the DMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Hawaii Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Wisconsin driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Hawaii address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Hawaii DMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit your Hawaii county website.
Hawaii Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Hawaii Driver’s License Test
30 total questions
The Hawaii knowledge exam will typically consist of 30 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Wisconsin license to Hawaii, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Hawaii.
Before you visit the DMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Hawaii. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Wisconsin driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Hawaii driving test.
Is your Wisconsin driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Wisconsin driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Wisconsin license should be valid when you apply for a license in Hawaii.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Wisconsin DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Wisconsin driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Wisconsin driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Wisconsin driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Hawaii license, it’s possible that the DMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Wisconsin driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Hawaii DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Wisconsin to Hawaii
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Wisconsin registration to Hawaii.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Hawaii DMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at your Hawaii county website
Hawaii Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Hawaii vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$45+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Hawaii Registration Expiration
every year
In Hawaii, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
Hawaii requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
Period vehicle safety inspections are required annually in Hawaii.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is not required for vehicles registered in Hawaii.
New residents in Hawaii are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 30 days.
When moving to Hawaii with vehicles from Wisconsin, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Hawaii registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Wisconsin.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Hawaii registration.
- Have a valid Hawaii insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Wisconsin DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Wisconsin DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Hawaii vs Wisconsin
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Hawaii.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Hawaii from Wisconsin.
Hawaii Income Tax (effective rates)
6.40% (single) & 6.46% (joint)
Hawaii has a state income tax with an effective rate of 6.4% for single filers, and 6.46% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
22.66%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Hawaii: 22.66% (single), 23.06% (joint)
- Wisconsin: 19.52% (single), 19.54% (joint)
In Hawaii, your tax would be . In Wisconsin, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Hawaii from Wisconsin
- State Income Tax (single filers): 6.40% in Hawaii vs 3.45% in Wisconsin
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 6.46% in Hawaii vs 3.65% in Wisconsin
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 22.66% in Hawaii vs 19.52% in Wisconsin
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 23.06% in Hawaii vs 19.54% in Wisconsin
Sales Tax in Hawaii vs Wisconsin
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Hawaii Sales Tax
4%
Hawaii has a state sales tax rate of 4%.
The sales tax rate is lower in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay less on sales tax in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Property Taxes in Hawaii vs Wisconsin
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Hawaii, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Hawaii Property Tax Estimate
0.28%
The property tax rate is lower in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay less for property taxes in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Home Prices in Hawaii
$615,300
On average, the average home price is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Hawaii homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Hawaii vs Wisconsin?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Hawaii.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Hawaii and Wisconsin to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Hawaii is
79.00% more expensive
than the national average, compared to -5.00% cheaper for Wisconsin.
Hawaii Cost of Living Index
179
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Cost of Groceries
25.60% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Housing Costs
209.70% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Hawaii Utilities
41.10% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for your monthly utility bills in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Transportation Costs
40.30% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more on transportation in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Healthcare in Hawaii
18.40% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Miscellaneous Costs
23.80% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Hawaii. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Hawaii than you did in Wisconsin.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Wisconsin to Hawaii.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Hawaii.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Wisconsin to Hawaii.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Hawaii to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Hawaii local.