Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,570 in Hawaii versus $1,192 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,428 in Hawaii and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 6% higher in Hawaii. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.875%
+2.9 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
9.85%
+1.2 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,570
$1,192
+24% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$834,100
$345,600
+59% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,428
$80,269
+6% in Hawaii
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
77.7°F
47.4°F
+30.3°F in Hawaii
Hawaii vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,192 runs about 24% below Hawaii's $1,570, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Hawaii than in Minnesota?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Hawaii versus $48,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Hawaii or Minnesota?
- Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Hawaii/Minnesota — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.