Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,267 in Hawaii. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 17% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $82,071 in Hawaii — about 16% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4%
+4.0 pp in Hawaii
Income Tax (top rate)
None
11.00%
+11.0 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,267
+20% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$375,900
$644,600
+71% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$82,071
+16% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
75.8°F
+38.4°F in Hawaii
Alaska vs Hawaii — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Hawaii?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 17% below Hawaii's $1,267, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Hawaii?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Alaska versus $51,000 in Hawaii.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Hawaii?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Alaska/Hawaii — 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.