Cost of Living in Hawaii
Based on 2 cities we track in Hawaii.
Cost of living in Hawaii is shaped mostly by rent across the 2 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,267 a month — 20% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $82,071, 22% higher than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,267
Median Home Value
$644,600
Median Income
$82,071
Avg Temperature
75.8°F
Medians across the Hawaii cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
4%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 11.00%
Cities in Hawaii
Compare Hawaii with
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Hawaii cost of living — FAQ
- Is Hawaii expensive to live in?
- Hawaii is among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,267 ranks #11 of 51 and is 20% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Hawaii?
- Across the 2 cities we track in Hawaii, average rent runs a studio around $1,285, a one-bedroom around $1,267, a two-bedroom around $1,633, a three-bedroom around $2,010 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Hawaii?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Hawaii is $644,600 — 124% higher than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Hawaii have a state income tax?
- Yes — Hawaii's top state income tax rate is 11.00% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 4%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Hawaii?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,267 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Hawaii is $82,071.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).