Cost of Living in Hawaii (HI)
Compare costs across 1 Hawaii cities. From home services to salaries, see how HI stacks up against the national average.
Is Hawaii Affordable?
Hawaii's average cost index is 192, which is above the national baseline of 100. Honolulu is the most affordable tracked city in HI at index 192, while Honolulu is the most expensive at index 192.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 0 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Hawaii is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Honolulu has a cost index of 192.
Honolulu has a cost index of 192.
Average median household income across 1 tracked HI cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Hawaii
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 351K | 192 | $72K | large |
Hawaii State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Hawaii.
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Honolulu if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Hawaii.
- Compare Honolulu against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.
Cost by Category Across Hawaii
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within Hawaii
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Popular Hawaii cost & affordability searches
Frequently Asked Questions: Hawaii Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Hawaii?
Hawaii's average cost-of-living index is 192, which is 92% above the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 1 tracked cities, costs span from index 192 in Honolulu to 192 in Honolulu.
What is the cheapest city to live in Hawaii?
Honolulu is the most affordable tracked city in Hawaii, with a cost index of 192 — roughly 92% above the national average.
What is the most expensive city in Hawaii?
Honolulu is the most expensive tracked city in Hawaii, at a cost index of 192. The gap between Honolulu and Honolulu is 0 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in Hawaii?
The average median household income across 1 tracked Hawaii cities is about $72,284 per year.
Does Hawaii have a state income tax?
Yes. Hawaii levies a progressive state income tax at 1.4-11%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in Hawaii?
The combined sales tax in Hawaii averages 4.5% — 4% at the state level plus 0.5% in average local tax.