Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,267 in Hawaii versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Utah runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Hawaii, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $82,071 in Hawaii and $74,925 in Utah — about 9% higher in Hawaii. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.1%
+2.1 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
4.50%
+6.5 pp in Hawaii
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,267
$1,166
+8% in Hawaii
Median Home Value
$644,600
$495,700
+23% in Hawaii
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$82,071
$74,925
+9% in Hawaii
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.8°F
52.8°F
+23.0°F in Hawaii
Hawaii vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii or Utah?
- Utah is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,166 runs about 8% 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 Utah?
- 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 $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Hawaii or Utah?
- Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Hawaii/Utah — 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.