A single person needs roughly $5,185 per month to live in Honolulu, including about $2,200 for a one-bedroom rental. That works out to a pre-tax salary of around $160,000 per year to live comfortably.

Is Honolulu expensive to live in?▾

Honolulu has a cost-of-living index of 119, which is 19% above the US average of 100 — rated "Very expensive". Rent is about 47% higher than the national average.

What salary do you need to live in Honolulu?▾

To cover typical costs comfortably (a 50/30/20 budget), a single person needs a pre-tax salary of about $160,000 per year in Honolulu. Families or higher savers will need more.

Estimates for 2024 based on BEA Regional Price Parities + U.S. Census Bureau ACS. For general comparison only, not exact budgeting. Published 2026-06-03.

Loading Legacy