Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,570 in Hawaii versus $1,031 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 34% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,428 in Hawaii and $67,449 in Missouri — about 21% higher in Hawaii. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
4.225%
+0.2 pp in Missouri
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
4.70%
+6.3 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,570
$1,031
+34% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$834,100
$227,000
+73% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,428
$67,449
+21% in Hawaii
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
77.7°F
56.7°F
+21.0°F in Hawaii
Hawaii vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,031 runs about 34% 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 Missouri?
- 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 $41,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Hawaii or Missouri?
- Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Hawaii/Missouri — 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.