Right off the shore of Oahu island, Honolulu‘s skyline rises along the water. From crystal clear beaches to great hiking on Diamond Head and surfing on the North Shore, Hawaii is truly a paradise.
Honolulu is Hawaii’s business and cultural center, as well as the home to the Pearl Harbor naval base. Beyond tourism, Honolulu’s major employers are in the banking and transportation industries.
But, what if you wanted to live there and have access to that every day?
In 2020, Kiplinger found Honolulu one of the top 20 most expensive cities in the U.S. Honolulu’s cost of living is higher than most due to the city and state having to import goods from other places via boat or by plane.
When compared to the national cost of living rate, Honolulu clocks at 92.7 percent higher than the national average. That’s five percent higher than in 2021.
Still thinking of making Hawaii’s capital your home? Here’s a glimpse at the cost of living in Honolulu.
Honolulu housing prices
These days, as rent prices continue to skyrocket, housing costs are the first thing you should look for as a prospective resident. Monthly rent cost is one of the main lines of your budget — in theory, you shouldn’t spend more than 30 percent of your income on rent. In Honolulu, housing prices are 220.7 percent above the national average as of 2022.
The average rent in Honolulu for a one-bedroom apartment is $3,085 per month, a 29 percent increase from 2021. A two-bedroom costs $4,890 per month on average, a 188 percent year-over-year increase.
You’ll find the highest one-bedroom rents in Waikiki, home to Honolulu’s nightlife, high-end shopping and surf beach. If you move inland to Palolo, you’ll find more affordable one-bedroom rents at $1,600 per month on average, only four miles from downtown Honolulu.
Average rent prices in cities near Honolulu
If the hustle of downtown Honolulu is not for you, there are options across the island for more affordable housing in quieter neighborhoods. These neighborhoods’ rent prices have remained relatively stable in the past year.
Here are a few examples of the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in cities near Honolulu:
Home prices in Honolulu
Just like across the mainland U.S., Honolulu is no stranger to a hot housing market and low inventory. After all, an island has only so many options for housing.
The current median home price in Honolulu is $565,000, an increase of nearly 11 percent over the past year. Homes are currently selling for about two percent above the list price, according to Redfin, and go pending in just 32 days with multiple offers.
However, when you look closely at the housing market, the median sale price for a single-family home in Honolulu is $1.3 million, while a condo falls into the $507,500 range.
Honolulu food prices
Living near the ocean has its perks. Honolulu boasts fresh seafood, delicious fruits and vegetables grown locally. Local dining is also influenced by Japanese culture and local Indigenous groups. Poke, spam and pork are the most popular dishes you’ll see.
You’ll find fine dining restaurants in resorts that cater to tourists, as well as food trucks and stands with delicious food for a more casual experience. Dining out for two people averages between $18 and $87.50 per person, depending on the restaurant.
You’ll find local breweries like Hana Koa Brewing Co. and Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing Co. serving cold pints.
For those looking to eat at home, groceries are 52.7 percent above the U.S. average in 2022. While some produce is grown on the island, most basic items come from the mainland U.S. or elsewhere in the world. Grocery food decreased five percent since 2021.
A steak at the grocery store will cost $19.39 and other foods like eggs ($3.97), milk ($4.05), potatoes ($9.17) and bread ($5.07) also are above the national average.
Staying on a budget is difficult in Honolulu, but a good balance between dining out and groceries can help.
Honolulu utility prices
Hawaii’s mild weather helps when it comes to heating or cooling your home. The average temperature in the hottest month in Hawaii is 88 degrees Fahrenheit and the lowest is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Nothing a fan and an open window with a sea breeze can’t fix.
This is a good thing since utilities cost 44.6 percent above the national average in Honolulu. While renewable energy is growing on the island, it’s still expensive to power up the city. An average electric bill can cost $318 per month.
Phone bills average around $182.61, on par with most U.S. cities.
Honolulu transportation prices
After rent prices, transportation is the second factor you should take into consideration. Distance to work, friends and family and favorite restaurants can make all the difference, especially as transportation costs get higher.
Transportation costs in Honolulu are 24.2 percent higher than the U.S. average (six percent lower than in 2021). While a car is always more convenient, gasoline prices have increased in the past year to $4.29 a gallon.
Also, when thinking about a car, you have also take maintenance into consideration. Car maintenance like a tire balance costs $61.60, higher than the national average. Parking in Honolulu is expensive, $4.50 per hour on average except for Sundays and holidays.
Luckily, Honolulu offers other methods of transportation, including the bus, scooters and even bicycles. The city has a 60 bike score, with bike lanes throughout. The walking score for Honolulu is 74, depending on the neighborhood.
For public transit, the HOLO bus costs $3 for a single ride, anywhere on Oahu island. You can pick them up at 7-Eleven or any supermarket on the island. A monthly pass is $80 for an adult, while a day pass costs $7.50 per adult.
Of course, taxis and ride-sharing apps are available but are more expensive. Just make sure that you’re near one of these options when looking at apartments in your budget.
Honolulu healthcare prices
Healthcare costs will depend on the individual and whether they have insurance. And even with insurance, costs will differ. Healthcare is 20 percent higher than the national average in Honolulu.
Going to the eye doctor will cost you around $162.96 per visit and the dentist, around $95.60. Prescription drugs cost around $528.75, while over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen average around $13.47.
Honolulu goods and services prices
Your budget should have items for recreation and household things like haircuts and dry-cleaning. Overall, you’ll pay nearly 30 percent more on goods and services in Honolulu than the national average. An average trip to dry cleaning will cost $23.64.
A haircut will set you back $17.36, while a more involved salon visit (think color, treatment, etc) will cost $73.80. It’s pretty high, especially compared with a West Coast metro like Seattle, where a salon visit is around $57.70.
For a night out, you’ll pay $14.58 for a movie, around $10 for a beer pint with pizza costing $14.99. That’s for one person, the costs can definitely add up.
Taxes in Honolulu
Another big factor you’ll have to take into consideration is taxes, both state income tax and sales tax. These taxes can add a significant burden to your budget unexpectedly.
In Honolulu, sales tax is 4.5 percent (4 percent from the state and 0.5 percent from Honolulu county). So, if you made a $1,000 purchase, you’ll pay an additional $45 in sales tax.
Hawaii’s individual income tax ranges from 1.4 percent to 11 percent, according to the Tax Foundation.
How much do I need to earn to live in Hawaii?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average income in Honolulu (according to 2019 figures) is $87,722 per year. The average salary in Honolulu is $69,000/year.
An average one-bedroom in Honolulu goes for $3,150 per month. This means that you’ll spend $37,800 on rent annually.
It’s important to stick to the 30 percent as much as you can in your budget to allow you to have enough left over for groceries, recreation and incidentals. To find out if you can afford the cost of living in Honolulu, check out our free rent calculator.
Living in Honolulu
Honolulu, a paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, can quickly turn you from a tourist to a resident, thanks to its mild weather and beautiful beaches. However, the cost of living in Honolulu is something to consider since island living is a little more expensive than the mainland U.S.
Whether you want to find a quiet neighborhood or live in the middle of Waikiki, there are beautiful homes available for you. Just make sure to check your budget — twice.
Find apartments for rent in Honolulu today!
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of August 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com