| Index | Honolulu | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 189 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 135 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 130 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 314 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 131 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 140 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 142 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 122 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 151 | 132 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Honolulu is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Honolulu is 189, which is 89% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Honolulu may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Honolulu falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Honolulu, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 214.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Household expenses account for 8% of the cost of living index and include the products people rely on every week, from toiletries and detergent to clothing and kitchen essentials. In Honolulu, household essentials are 21.9% more expensive than the U.S. average, which can leave less room in your monthly budget.
Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Honolulu, it's the same story – grocery costs are 35% higher than what people pay across the country.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 16 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Honolulu and this is how they responded. 19% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 81% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Honolulu is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Honolulu, for example, the median home price is 281.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 57.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Honolulu boasting a median household income of $108,740, which is 33.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Honolulu, the housing index is 214.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Honolulu, the transportation index is 31.4% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Honolulu comes in at 40% higher than the national average.
The Honolulu cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $146,360 | $12,197 | $3,415 | $4,391 |
| Renters | $83,564 | $6,964 | $1,950 | $2,507 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Hawaii | 4% | 4.712% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Hawaii | 1.4% | 11% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI | 14,062 | 142 | 42.2% |
| Waipio Acres, HI | 5,724 | 154 | 53.8% |
| Waimalu, HI | 14,084 | 155 | 55.3% |
| Waimanalo Beach, HI | 4,376 | 162 | 62.5% |
| Kalaeloa, HI | 2,475 | 164 | 63.6% |
| Honolulu, HI | 358,765 | 189 | 89.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Markham, ON | 359,111 | n/a | |
| Anaheim, CA | 361,295 | 167 | 67.4% |
| Santa Ana, CA | 345,160 | 161 | 60.9% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 338,491 | 98 | 2.3% |
| Riverside, CA | 334,324 | 140 | 40.4% |
| Honolulu, HI | 358,765 | 189 | 89.0% |
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