Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,267 in Hawaii versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 36% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $82,071 in Hawaii and $51,707 in Ohio — about 37% higher in Hawaii. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
5.75%
+1.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
2.75%
+8.3 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,267
$817
+36% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$644,600
$215,300
+67% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$82,071
$51,707
+37% in Hawaii
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.8°F
52.7°F
+23.1°F in Hawaii
Hawaii vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 36% 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 Ohio?
- 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 $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Hawaii or Ohio?
- Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/3 cities we track in Hawaii/Ohio — 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.