Cost of Living in Hawaii 2026
84%
|
Higher Than National Avg.
Hawaii's 2026 cost of living is
$4554 per month for singles and $10028 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Hawaii are 84% higher than the U.S. national average.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to make informed decisions about living and working in your ideal location.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Hawaii's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Hawaii is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 202.0% higher than average($3624
per month for a single person and $6644 per month for a family of four).
Food expenses run 51.0%
above average at $604
monthly for an individual and $1963 for a family,
while utilities, transportation and healthcare costs are 37.5% higher at about $1203 per month
for one person and $2624 for a household.
| Expense Category |
Average Monthly Expense Single Person |
Average Monthly Expense Family of Four |
Compare Hawaii to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3624 | 6644 |
|
|
604 | 1963 |
|
|
301 | 516 |
|
|
548 | 1164 |
|
|
354 | 944 |
|
2026 Cost of Living: Hawaii Major Cities vs. National Average?
The cost of living varies across major Hawaii cities. Honolulu, Pearl City,
Ewa Beach ranking as the most expensive. Among Hawaii cities, Hilo,
Kahului, Waipahu have the lowest cost of living.
Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Hawaii
A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Hawaii Cities compared to the national average.
The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.
| CITY, STATE | COMPARED TO NATIONAL AVERAGE |
|---|---|
| Honolulu, Hawaii |
|
| Pearl City, Hawaii |
|
| Hilo, Hawaii |
|
| Kahului, Hawaii |
|
| Waipahu, Hawaii |
|
| Ewa Beach, Hawaii |
|
| Kaneohe, Hawaii |
|
About Hawaii
Hawaii (/həˈwaɪi/ (listen) hə-WY-ee; Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi [həˈvɐjʔi]) is the 50th and most recent state to have joined the United States, having received statehood on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is the only U.S. state located in Oceania, the only U.S. state located outside North America, and the only one composed entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean.
The state encompasses nearly the entire volcanic Hawaiian archipelago, which comprises hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles (2,400 km). At the southea...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in Hawaii
Buying a home and the cost of living
If you want to buy a home in the beautiful state of Hawaii, you will find that it is one of the highest residential home markets in the country. Purchasing a home can be a lengthy and complex process. Besides the down payment, which is usually 15-20% of the selling price, there will be closing costs. If you own a home in your former location the sale of that home needs to be completed as well. Once you have purchased and moved into your new home, there will be utility and maintenance costs as well as property taxes and home insurance that will contribute to your cost of living. The advantages of living in Hawaii are many, but the high cost of buying a home is not one of them. (
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Rent vs Buy: Renting could be the better choice for a lower cost of living
The largest contributor to any cost of living estimate is housing. Understanding the housing market and costs for a location can be complex. Renting can give you a chance to try out a location before making the major commitment of buying a home. In Hawaii renting a home can actually be more economical than buying. Renting generally has fewer up-front costs and maintenance is generally included, eliminating that responsibility and expense and could potentially leave you with more disposable income and a lower cost of living. (
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
Hawaii is ranked number 1 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in . The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
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See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2026-03-26