Why is living in Hawaii so expensive?
Ava Hall
Updated on April 08, 2026
On the plus side, Hawaii has one of the U.S.'s lowest unemployment rates, with just 2.7 percent of citizens looking for jobs. Hawaii's high cost of living is driven by the need to import everything to the island either by sea or plane. Another big driver is housing costs.
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Also asked, how much money do you need to live comfortably in Hawaii?
In order to live comfortably in Hawaii, studies show that you'll need a whopping salary of over $122,000.
Subsequently, question is, does Hawaii have a high cost of living? People who don't like a high cost of living, for one. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Hawaii's cost of living is the highest of any of the 50 states. So while Hawaii offers beautiful surroundings and rich culture, it's not a cheap place to live.
Also Know, what is the average living wage in Hawaii?
MIT's living wage calculator puts the living wage for Hawaii at $15.39 for a single adult (or an annual salary of about $32,000). An adult with one child needs to earn $27.18 an hour to make ends meet, while two adults with two children need to each bring in at least $16.42 an hour to cover basic expenses.
What is considered low income in Hawaii?
A single person earning up to $54,700 is considered low-income in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina area of Maui, while a person making up to $50,400 on Kauai County is considered low-income. For Hawaii County, the low-income limit for a single person is set at $44,000.
Related Question AnswersWhat is considered middle class income in Hawaii?
Hawaii counties ranked by per capita income| Rank | County | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,420 | |
| United States | $51,914 | |
| 4 | Kauai | $62,531 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $54,996 |
What is the highest paying job in Hawaii?
Here's a quick look at the top ten highest paying jobs in Hawaii:- Family and General Practitioners.
- Physicians and Surgeons, All Other.
- Internists, General.
- Chief Executives.
- Dentists, General.
- Nurse Anesthetists.
- Pediatricians, General.
- Architectural and Engineering Managers.
How much is rent in Hawaii?
Average rent in Hawaii (Oahu) for a studio will vary based on location but expect to pay around $1,670 with Waikiki studios going from $1,400 to about $1,700. Average rent for one bedroom apartments in Hawaii (Honolulu, Oahu) is $1,670. Of course you can find cheaper apartments with more basic accommodations.Is Hawaii worth moving to?
Moving to Hawaii might be the most expensive move of your life. We've mentioned that living in Hawaii is expensive, but it's worth noting that just getting yourself and your stuff to Hawaii can be expensive, too. You'll have to get flights for yourself and the people you're moving with.How much is the average electric bill in Hawaii?
Electric bills: The average residential electricity bill in Hawaii is about $203/month, ranking 1st in the U.S. and 89.72% greater than the national average of $107.Is it hard to move to Hawaii?
1) Hawaii is an island state Living on an island means it's harder to get and do some of the things you like, and a few things are just impossible. Almost everything is more expensive to ship to Hawaii, and slower to arrive by Fedex. Fedex overnight often means 2 days here.Can you afford to live in Hawaii?
In fact, the site estimates that you need an income of $153,520 to afford the average home in Hawaii this year. (For two earners to bring in this income, they'd need to earn $76,760 each per year.) That's the highest of any state, and compares to $120,120 in California (which took the no.Is Hawaii in poverty?
Adults 18 to 59 Years Old in Hawaii have a Poverty Rate of 10.0%. Adults 60 to 74 Years Old in Hawaii have a Poverty Rate of 8.1%. 75 to 84 Years Old in Hawaii have a Poverty Rate of 9.4%. Over 85 Years Old in Hawaii have a Poverty Rate of 10.3%.What is the cheapest way to move to Hawaii?
How to Live Cheap in Hawaii- Inexpensive Housing. Choose your location carefully.
- Groceries and Meals. Save money on food by buying in bulk at large discount stores, such as Costco or Sam's Club.
- Daily Living. Use public transportation whenever possible.
- Other Considerations. Unfortunately, wages typically are lower in Hawaii than most other states.
Which is the cheapest Hawaiian island to live on?
Hawaii Island is the cheapest and Oahu is the most expensive.Do jobs pay more in Hawaii?
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Statistics program, we found the 30 jobs with the highest average annual salaries in Hawaii as of May 2018, the most recently available data. The top spot was taken by psychiatrists, who make an average of $269,800 a year.How much money does it take to move to Hawaii?
The average cost of moving a 3-bedroom house to Hawaii is between $5,000-$10,000 (give or take).What is Hawaii's minimum wage 2020?
Minimum wage: $10.10 per hour Hawaii makes this list, even though the state hasn't said "Aloha" to a minimum wage increase in a couple of years. The rate has stood at $10.10 an hour since Jan. 2018.Can you retire cheaply in Hawaii?
Hawaii: #2 Best State for Retirement As you'd expect on an island paradise, living ain't cheap. In fact, Hawaii sports the highest living costs in the country. Plus, health care costs are surprisingly affordable at 11.4% below the national average.Where is the cheapest place in Hawaii to live?
Here Are The 13 Cheapest Yet Greatest Places To Live In Hawaii- 1) Laie, Oahu. Allie/Flickr.
- 2) Wailuku, Maui. Emmett Anderson/Flickr.
- 3) Kurtistown, Big Island. Joel Abroad/Flickr.
- 4) Waimea, Kauai. Robert Linsdell/Flickr.
- 5) Wahiawa, Oahu. Sean Munson/Flickr.
- 6) Haiku, Maui. Ken Lund/Flickr.
- 7) Kaunakakai, Molokai.
- 8) Lihue, Kauai.
