Living Cost Compare
Honolulu

Hawaii

$2,160/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,160 in Honolulu, HI versus $2,150 in Washington, DC. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu, HI and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 20% higher in Washington, DC. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Honolulu, HI
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$1,390
$1,763
+27% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,570
$1,885
+20% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,983
$1,949
+2% in Honolulu, HI
3 Bedroom
$2,433
$2,249
+8% in Honolulu, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$834,100
$724,600
+13% in Honolulu, HI

Income

Median Household Income
$85,428
$106,287
+24% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$57,220
$71,060
+24% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
42.9 yr
34.9 yr
+8.0 yr in Honolulu, HI
Homeownership
48.6%
41.1%
+7.5 pp in Honolulu, HI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.8%
63.6%
+22.8 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
22.3 min
30.3 min
+8.0 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
214.1
936.3
+337% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
1,919.8
3,627.9
+89% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+19.5°F in Honolulu, HI
Annual Precipitation
17.1 in
39.7 in
+22.6 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.09/gal
$3.86/gal
+24% in Honolulu, HI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$3.00
$2.00
+33% in Honolulu, HI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
52.0
25.4
+51% in Honolulu, HI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$70.84
$22.01
+69% in Honolulu, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.00
+17% in Honolulu, HI
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.75
+14% in Honolulu, HI
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Washington, DC
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.45
+12% in Honolulu, HI
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$1.90
+6% in Honolulu, HI
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Honolulu, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / DC)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in DC
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
10.75%
+0.3 pp in HI

Honolulu vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Honolulu or Washington?
They're close. Honolulu, HI runs about $2,160 a month and Washington, DC about $2,150 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Honolulu than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Honolulu versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Honolulu or Washington?
Honolulu is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).