Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,570 in Hawaii versus $1,258 in Illinois. Overall, Illinois runs roughly 20% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,428 in Hawaii and $75,134 in Illinois — about 12% higher in Hawaii. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.25%
+2.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
4.95%
+6.0 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,570
$1,258
+20% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$834,100
$315,200
+62% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,428
$75,134
+12% in Hawaii
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
77.7°F
52.7°F
+25.0°F in Hawaii
Hawaii vs Illinois — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii or Illinois?
- Illinois is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,258 runs about 20% 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 Illinois?
- 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 $50,000 in Illinois.
- Which has lower taxes, Hawaii or Illinois?
- Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Hawaii/Illinois — 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.