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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Premium market, smart picks: while Hawaii trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. Honolulu at index 149 — though some people might weigh that differently — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving Ha…
#1 Ranked: Honolulu — cost index 149, rent $2,548/mo, income $85,428
1 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
Premium market, smart picks: while Hawaii trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. Honolulu at index 149 — though some people might weigh that differently — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving Hawaii.
Why Honolulu ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. At 149 on the cost index, residents spend roughly 38% more than the typical American. Rent sits at $2,548/month while the median household pulls in $85,428/year. The Healthcare category is particularly strong at 110, though Housing (149) lags behind. Home prices average $758,507 — $291,137 above the national median.
On a $150K salary, the key number is $3,750/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Honolulu ($2,548/mo, 20%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $92,983 to $92,983/year across these top picks.
Against the national baseline, though: Here's the state-level backdrop: Hawaii averages a 149 cost index, $2,548/mo rent, and $85,428 income across 1 cities. That's $653 more than the national rent average. The most isolated and expensive housing market in the US — and that context shapes every city in this ranking.
Bottom line: Honolulu leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Honolulu | 11% | 4.44% | 0.27% | $92,983 |
341,778 residents · Hawaii
What does daily life actually cost in Honolulu? Start with the 36% rent-to-income ratio — stretched, especially for single earners. On the category level, Healthcare (index 110) is where the real savings show up, while Housing (index 149) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $85,428 and homes at $758,507 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
Honolulu ranks #1 in Hawaii for this analysis with a cost index of 149 and median income of $85,428.
Yes. On a $150K salary in Honolulu, rent would consume about 20% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Honolulu is $2,548/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $653 above the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 11% state income tax, estimated take-home on $150K in Honolulu is approximately $92,983/year ($7,749/month). After median rent of $2,548/month, you'd have roughly $62,407/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Honolulu is $758,507, which is 8.9× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
Hawaii has a 11% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 4.44%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.27%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.