Hawaii
HIWest · 4 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Hawaii is more expensive than the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 155 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $3,310 a month, 71% above the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$5.63
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$3,310
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
155
vs. 100 national avg
Hawaii Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Hawaii is electricity, at 156% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 39% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 7.5% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Kapaa saw the biggest move (up 13.0%), while Honolulu was up just 4.1%.
City to city
Where you live inside Hawaii matters. Typical rent runs from $2,562 in Hilo to $4,456 in Kapaa, a gap of $1,894 a month or about $22,728 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 63% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the highest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $90,740 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $5.63 a gallon, 41% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $425 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,320 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the West rose 2.4% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Hawaii
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 5 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Honolulu County | $104,264 |
| 2Maui County | $95,076 |
| 3Kauai County | $93,612 |
| 4Kalawao County | $86,250 |
| 5Hawaii County | $77,215 |
Hawaii Cost of Living FAQ
Is Hawaii expensive to live in?
Hawaii is about 55% more expensive than the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 155, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Hawaii?
Typical rent in Hawaii averages $3,310 a month across the 4 cities we track as of September 2026, 71% above the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Hawaii?
Of the 4 cities we track in Hawaii, Hilo has the lowest cost of living index at 138. It also has the lowest typical rent we track there, at $2,562 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Hawaii?
Kahului has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Hawaii, at 165. The highest typical rent is in Kapaa, at $4,456 a month.
How much is gas in Hawaii?
Regular unleaded averages $5.63 a gallon in Hawaii as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 41% above the national average of $3.98. That is the 2nd most expensive of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Hawaii?
Rent in Hawaii rose an average of 7.5% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Hawaii?
Residential electricity in Hawaii averages 47.2 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $425.
How much is car insurance in Hawaii?
Full coverage car insurance in Hawaii averages $1,320 a year, or about $110 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 2nd lowest of 51 states.