Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,267 in Hawaii versus $1,258 in Illinois. Overall, Illinois runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $82,071 in Hawaii and $90,109 in Illinois — about 9% higher in 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.
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
$1,267
$1,258
+1% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$644,600
$315,200
+51% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$82,071
$90,109
+10% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.8°F
49.9°F
+25.9°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 1% 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 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 $51,000 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 2/3 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.