What it actually costs to live in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s cost-of-living index sits at 185 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #1 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Hawaii costs about 85% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $895,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,975/mo.
Hawaii cost components
| Component | Hawaii | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 185 | 100 |
| Median home price | $895,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,975/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $214/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Hawaii compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Hawaii ranks #1 for cost. That puts Hawaii among the 10 most expensive — driven primarily by housing constraint and high-wage demand. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Hawaii metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Honolulu has very different housing dynamics than smaller Hawaii metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Hawaii metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Hawaii cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Hawaii?
Hawaii's MERIC cost-of-living index is 185 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Hawaii costs about 85% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in Hawaii?
Hawaii's state-level median home price is approximately $895,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Hawaii?
Hawaii's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,975/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Hawaii-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Hawaii COL index ~190 (90% above national average) — highest in the US. Energy costs are 3× national average due to imported oil; gallon of milk often $7–9.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.