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Cost of living in Hawaii

Everyday prices in Hawaii run 10.0% above the US average, the 50th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Hawaii next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
HawaiiUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Hawaii?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$105,100
Typical household incomeA year · 7th highest of 51
23%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($2,010/mo) against median income ($105,100). 46th lowest of 51.
7.0
Years of income to buy a home$732,450 median listing against $105,100 income. 48th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Hawaii?

8,876 more people left Hawaii for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Hawaii

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Urban Honolulu, HI11% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,134
    Typical home
    $675,000
    Mortgage
    $3,709/mo

Hawaii by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Hawaii next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Hawaii110.0125.3$732,450$4,025$2,010
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Hawaii

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Urban Honolulu, HI111.0$2,134$675,000

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-13,375
2020-21-9,849
2021-22-15,999
2022-23-11,327
2023-24-8,486
2024-25-8,876

States with a similar cost of living to Hawaii

Keep comparing

Hawaii cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Hawaii?

Everyday prices in Hawaii run 10.0% above the US average, the 50th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 125.3 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $732,450 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $4,025 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $2,010 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $146,519 in Hawaii.

Is Hawaii cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. Hawaii's regional price parity is 110.0, 10.0% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Hawaii?

The median listed home in Hawaii is $732,450 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 50th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $4,025 a month.

How much is rent in Hawaii?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Hawaii is $2,010 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Hawaii equals $150,000 in New York?

About $146,519, using BEA regional price parities for Hawaii (110.0) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Hawaii?

8,876 more people left Hawaii for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page