Is it cheaper to live in Honolulu or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Honolulu, HI's $2,050, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Honolulu versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Honolulu or Memphis?

Honolulu is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Honolulu vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Honolulu

Hawaii

$2,050/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,050 in Honolulu, HI versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Honolulu, HI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu, HI and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 40% higher in Honolulu, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Honolulu, HI

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,390

$877

+37% in Honolulu, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,570

$948

+40% in Honolulu, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,983

$1,073

+46% in Honolulu, HI

3 Bedroom

$2,433

$1,281

+47% in Honolulu, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$834,100

$157,100

+81% in Honolulu, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$85,428

$51,211

+40% in Honolulu, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$57,220

$46,890

+18% in Honolulu, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.9 yr

34.3 yr

+8.6 yr in Honolulu, HI

Homeownership

48.6%

46.0%

+2.6 pp in Honolulu, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.8%

28.2%

+12.6 pp in Honolulu, HI

Avg Commute

22.3 min

21.3 min

+1.0 min in Honolulu, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

214.1

2,507.5

+1071% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

1,919.8

6,965.8

+263% in Memphis, TN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

77.7°F

63.1°F

+14.6°F in Honolulu, HI

Annual Precipitation

17.1 in

53.7 in

+36.6 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.57/gal

$4.35/gal

+22% in Honolulu, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$3.00

$1.75

+42% in Honolulu, HI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

42.2

15.1

+64% in Honolulu, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$60.89

$15.54

+74% in Honolulu, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Honolulu, HI

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Honolulu, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Honolulu, HI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Honolulu, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Honolulu, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Honolulu, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / TN)

+3.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Honolulu vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Honolulu or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Honolulu, HI's $2,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Honolulu than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Honolulu versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Honolulu or Memphis?: Honolulu is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).