Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Honolulu?

Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Honolulu, HI's $2,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Honolulu?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $63,000 in Honolulu.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Honolulu?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Honolulu under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Honolulu Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Honolulu

Hawaii

$2,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $2,160 in Honolulu, HI. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Honolulu, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $85,428 in Honolulu, HI — about 18% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Honolulu, HI

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,390

+12% in Honolulu, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,570

+2% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,983

+6% in Honolulu, HI

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,433

+9% in Honolulu, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$834,100

+63% in Honolulu, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$85,428

+18% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$57,220

+3% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

42.9 yr

+2.0 yr in Honolulu, HI

Homeownership

59.8%

48.6%

+11.2 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

40.8%

+12.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

22.3 min

+6.4 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

214.1

+73% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,919.8

+9% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

77.7°F

+20.6°F in Honolulu, HI

Annual Precipitation

—

17.1 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Honolulu, HI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$3.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs TheBus (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

52.0

+139% in Honolulu, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$70.84

+274% in Honolulu, HI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Honolulu, HI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Honolulu, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Honolulu, HI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Honolulu, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Honolulu, HI

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / HI)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

11.00%

+4.5 pp in HI

Annapolis vs Honolulu — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Honolulu?: Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Honolulu, HI's $2,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Honolulu?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $63,000 in Honolulu.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Honolulu?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Honolulu under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).