At least once in life, everyone has thought how nice it would be just to leave everything and move to Hawaii. Somehow this small tropical state became everyone’s synonym for paradise on Earth, but when the reality kicks in, there’s only one concern: what is the cost of living in Hawaii? Life in such a paradise certainly can’t be free, so let us tell you something more about the prices and see how far your dreams are from reality.
This is the only island state in the US, and it has around 1.4 million residents. In 1898 the US annexed Hawaii, but its statehood was announced in 1959 when they officially became the fiftieth state. It is a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean, consisting of eight major islands and more than a hundred smaller ones. Besides being one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, many are considering moving to Hawaii and staying there for good. If you, too, are planning on moving internationally to this tropical paradise, stay tuned to find out more about how much it will cost you.
What Is the Cost of Living in Hawaii?
When we take off those pink shades and realize that daydreaming under the palms in the Islands of Aloha is not so cheap, we start wondering what’s the cost of living in Hawaii, and can we afford it? That is when reality kicks in. The Islands of Aloha are famous for their natural beauties but notorious for the prices of pretty much everything. One of the friendliest countries in the world towards expats has an average cost of living index of 170, which is significantly higher than the US average of 100, according to BestPlaces.com.
The biggest difference we see in housing, gas, and groceries. Since the majority of groceries and other products are shipped from the mainland, their price here is higher than anywhere else in the US. Want to know how much is a gallon of milk in Hawaii? Prepare to get shocked because it is almost double than anywhere else in the US, and you can find it for around $9, or $7 if you’re lucky enough to spot a discount. Also, here you’ll find the world’s most expensive toilet paper. However, it is not all so bad. If you dedicate some time to research local supermarkets and shops or rely on Amazon, you can manage to find a budget-friendly alternative to pretty much anything.
How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Hawaii?
Ok, so here is the burning question: how much should you make to live in Hawaii? This is something everyone wants to know, but the thing is, we can’t really tell you what’s enough. Everyone has a different idea of “comfortable”, a different lifestyle and spending habits. What’s sure is that it is probably more than in other states. The average salary in the Islands of Aloha is higher than the national, but according to some surveys, it is usually not enough for what could be considered a comfortable living.
Allegedly, to live comfortably, you’ll need to earn around $122,000, but keep in mind that here you’ll find some of the highest income tax rates in the US. Also, although Honolulu is the most popular city, it is also one of the most expensive places in the US and in the world, according to Expatistan. So, if you move to some smaller towns, the chances are higher you get a comfortable lifestyle for less than the average cost of living in Hawaii.
How Much of Your Income You’ll Be Spending on Housing, Utilities, and Other Expenses as a Local
Although it is known as one of the highest in the country, the cost of living Hawaii can differ significantly from one place to another. That is why you should research different cities and compare some essential categories of expenses to see which one fits your budget the most. If you’re moving with kids, you should keep in mind education opportunities and the number of expat communities because those factors can impact the overall life quality. Since Honolulu is the largest city and the capital, it offers the most possibilities from employment to education. Hence, the costs here are high. There are more than 350,000 residents, which means that basically one-third of the state’s population lives in its capital city.
Housing – How Much a Single Family Home Costs?
Housing is significantly pricier than the national average, so many opt to rent. In the chart below, you’ll find some renting prices in Honolulu. But you can expect that you’ll find more affordable housing options in other cities. When it comes to purchasing a property, the numbers just keep getting higher and higher, year after year. For example, in Maui, the median price of a single-family home is $852,500, while the median price of a condominium is $518,520. Oahu also has a strong housing market with similar and slightly higher prices.
Are Utilities Expensive?
The average amount of money spent on utilities in the US is $398 per month. However, the Aloha State beats the national average again, with $587 per month spent on bills. According to a study, this is the state where people pay the most for their electricity bill.
Transportation, Do You Need a Car on the Islands?
We strongly recommend having a car because it will help you go around easier, but the gasoline is also pricier here. Gas prices tend to differ from one island to another, so that is also something to keep in mind, but they usually go around $3 per gallon. The only type of public transportation is buses. There are no subways or trains. All four major islands have their network of buses, but the best one is probably the one in Oahu. A one-way ticket for adults (older than 17) is $2.74, a daily pass is $5.5, while the monthly pass is $70. There are special discounts for seniors, youth, and the disabled.
How Much You’ll Be Spending on Groceries?
Groceries are essential and notorious for being more pricey than in the mainland. But like with everything else, you can always find a cheaper alternative to everything. Take a look at this video to compare the prices in two different shops, and then compare them to the ones in your hometown local store. You’ll get a bigger picture and know what to expect.
Which City Has the Highest Cost of Living? Honolulu Vs. Others
To help you get an idea of living expenses in Hawaii, we decided to focus on some of the most popular places among Americans and other expats who are moving across the world. Is it as expensive as the cost of living in Toronto, LA, or Orange County? In the chart below, we briefly summarized some average prices you can expect in the Aloha State’s capital and compared it to some other major cities that attract newcomers.
What Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Hawaii?
When relocating to a place with such a reputation for high expenses, looking at some of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii seems like a reasonable thing to do. Whether you’re moving abroad for love or looking for the best places to live abroad with a family, it is good to know that the Aloha State is not just Honolulu. Many smaller towns come with a more affordable lifestyle. If you’re on a budget, we suggest you take a look at some of these places:
- Kaneohe (Oahu),
- Kailua (Oahu),
- Kahului (Maui),
- Hilo (The Big Island),
- Kaunakakai (Molokai),
- Kapaa (Kauai).
How Much Would It Cost to Move to Hawaii?
If you’re not so good with handling moving stress, perhaps you should consider hiring an international moving company to help you relocate. International moving is quite specific since it requires you first to prepare documents needed for moving internationally and then to see which services to get from your overseas shipping company.
Although you’ll be relocating to an island, shipping a car overseas should be high on your list of priorities so make sure to check the price of overseas vehicle shipping. When you start wondering what to pack when moving overseas, consider investing in professional packing services because boxes and other packing supplies are usually included. The final price depends on the distance and the amount of stuff you have for shipping overseas, but keep in mind that moving abroad is not cheap, especially if you have some oversized freight.
How Much Should You Save Before Moving to Hawaii?
Before you start wondering how to move to another country or state, you need to ensure you have enough savings. If you want to play it safe, try having enough savings to cover at least the first three months, including the rent. If you have a job position waiting for you, things are a bit easier, but if not, look at some relocation questions to ask the employer and try to find a job before you hop on a plane.
Is It Expensive to Live in Hawaii?
We hope we didn’t crush your dreams about life in the Islands of Aloha, but the numbers are the way they are. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to live in another country or state, depending on where you’re coming from. Luckily, if you speak English, at least you won’t have to bother with breaking the language barrier and spending time and money on learning a new language. Also, keeping in touch with friends will be easy, because they’ll be waiting impatiently for your invite to come and see you. Whether you’re moving to Hawaii with pets, alone, or with family, make sure to do all the math on time and calculate the costs of relocating and shipping to Hawaii. Remember, there is a budget-friendly way for everything, so don’t give up so easily. Find a reliable overseas moving company with professional Hawaii movers and start working together to turn your tropical dreams into reality.
