Moving to Hawaii? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Hawaii is an island state of the United States located in the Pacific Ocean, composed entirely of 137 islands. It is known for its beautiful beaches, tropical climate and expansive landscapes from volcanoes to waterfalls.

If you are considering moving to Hawaii, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Hawaii Facts:

1. Population: 1.442 million (2021)
2. Official Language: Over 130 different languages are spoken in Hawaii, including Hawaiian, English, Tagalog, Ilocano and Japanese being among the most prominent 
3. GDP Per Capita: $68,985 (2022)
4. Random Fact: Maui’s Mount Haleakalā is the largest dormant volcano in the world, with the highest peak being 10,023 feet. If measured from the sea floor, the volcano would measure nearly 30,000 feet.
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68 

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Hawaii

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$4000
Florida	$4500
New York	$5000
Pennsylvania	$4800
Texas	$4700
Ohio	$4600
Illinois	$4500
North Carolina	$4400
Michigan	$4300
New Jersey	$5000

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to Hawaii.

These costs are generally higher due to the logistical complexities and distances involved in moving to an island state.

As always, these figures are approximate and can vary based on several factors including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

You can find the best international moving companies in Hawaii here.

2. Hawaii Housing Costs

The range of rental and house purchase prices in Hawaii can vary greatly depending on the location, with prices in upscale neighbourhoods like Kahala and Diamond Head reaching millions of dollars. In contrast, downtown areas like Honolulu may have more affordable options starting in the hundreds of thousands.

Monthly Rental Prices in Hawaii:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $2,160+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,740+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $3,800+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $3,180+

Hawaii Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $7,990+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $5,900+

Hawaii Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Hawaii compare with other cities around the globe.

• London is 10% more expensive
• New York is 38.1% more expensive
• Los Angeles is 14.4% more expensive
• Toronto is 25.6% cheaper
• Sydney is 8.8% cheaper
• Paris is 42.1% cheaper
• Dubai is 27.2% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

• Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Roomies, iRoommates.
• Different Areas – Different Prices: The real estate market in Hawaii is highly diverse, with a wide range of rental and house purchase prices depending on the location. For those seeking luxurious living, exclusive neighbourhoods like Kahala and Diamond Head offer opulent homes with panoramic ocean views and top-notch amenities, but the price tag can reach millions of dollars. However, if you are on a tighter budget, downtown areas like Honolulu offer more affordable options, with a range of housing options starting in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While the cost of living in Hawaii can be high, the unique beauty and laid-back lifestyle of the islands continue to attract people from all over the world, making it a desirable place to call home.
  

3. Hawaii Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Hawaii has a rich culinary scene that reflects the diverse cultural influences on the islands, with a focus on fresh and local ingredients. Popular dishes include poke, a raw fish salad, and plate lunches, which typically consist of rice, macaroni salad, and a meat or fish entree.

In terms of drink trends, Hawaii has a growing craft beer scene, as well as a unique cocktail culture that incorporates tropical flavours like pineapple and coconut. The islands are also known for their production of Kona coffee, a high-quality coffee bean grown on the Big Island.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: $19.75
•  Takeout Coffee: $5.50
•  Bottle of Coke: $2.45
•  1L of Milk: $1.95
•  Loaf of Bread: $6.60
•  12 Eggs: $8.20
•  1kg Chicken: $15.80
•  1kg Beef: $23.40
•  1kg Apples: $6.65
•  1kg White Rice: $7.40

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 2.4% more expensive and groceries are 95.8% cheaper than Hawaii.
• New York restaurants are 16.4% more expensive and groceries are 13.4% cheaper than Hawaii.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 10.8% more expensive and groceries are 43.8% cheaper than Hawaii.
• Toronto restaurants are 10.7% cheaper and groceries are 64.2% cheaper than Hawaii.
• Sydney restaurants are 11.7% cheaper and groceries are 43.7% cheaper than Hawaii.
• Paris restaurants are 17.2% cheaper and groceries are 46.1% cheaper than Hawaii.
• Dubai restaurants are 16.8% cheaper and groceries are 130.5% cheaper than Hawaii.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

• Know Your Supermarkets: Hawaii is home to a variety of farmers’ markets that offer a diverse selection of locally-grown produce and artisanal products. While prices can vary depending on the vendor and location, farmers’ markets generally provide a more affordable option for fresh, high-quality food than expensive supermarkets.
• Find Cheap Eats: Hawaii has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Hawaii News Now.

4. Hawaii Alcohol Costs

Hawaii, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $8.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $9.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.20
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.35
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $17.00

How To Drink For Less in Hawaii:

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
• Take a look at Yelp and Hawaii Happy Hours.

5. Hawaii Transportation Fares

Public transportation in Hawaii primarily consists of bus systems on each of the major islands, with limited options for rail and light rail services. While the bus systems are extensive and cover many areas of the islands, they may not be as frequent or reliable as in more urban areas of the United States.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

• Adult single – $3.00
• One-day ticket – $5.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $80.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

• Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. 
• Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Hawaii

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
• AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
• Verizon: $80 a month 

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $55.00
• Summer Dress: $50.00
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $110.00
• Business Shoes: $145.00
• Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $130.00
• Deodorant: $5.00
• Shampoo: $6.00
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.70
• Gym Membership: $50.00
• Movie (cinema) Ticket: $15.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Hawaii

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Hawaii. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Hawaii from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here. 

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Hawaii:

• Volkswagen Golf: $28,000+
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.35

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Hawaii:

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Hawaii

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax in Hawaii is composed of two parts: a state tax and a local tax. The state tax rate is 4%, while the local tax rate varies by county, ranging from 0.25% to 0.5%. This makes the total sales tax rate in Hawaii between 4.25% and 4.5%, depending on the location of the transaction.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Hawaii you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.  

10. Flight Costs from Hawaii

If you do make the move to Hawaii, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

• London: $500
• New York: $250
• Los Angeles: $120
• Toronto: $300
• Vancouver: $240
• Dubai: $720
• Sydney: $270
• Melbourne: $280
• Cape Town: $780
• Hong Kong: $470

Other Tips on Moving to Hawaii:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Hawaii but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Hawaii Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Hawaii.

• Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
• Attend Local Events: Hawaii always has something going on. Have a look at Go Hawaii and Eventbrite.

12. Moving to Hawaii with a Family

Hawaii is generally considered a family-friendly location, with a variety of outdoor activities and attractions suitable for all ages, such as beaches, hiking trails, and cultural experiences. As for the crime rate, Hawaii has a lower overall crime rate compared to many other states in the US. However, like any location, crime can occur, and visitors and residents should take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety. 

• New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at Hawaii Pacific Health.
• Live in a Family-friendly Area: Hawaii offers many family-friendly areas to live in, depending on your preferences and lifestyle. Some of the most popular areas for families include Mililani on Oahu, which offers good schools, parks, and community events, and Kailua on the windward side of Oahu, known for its beautiful beaches and small-town feel.
• Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Hawaii. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Go Hawaii and Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Hawaii for Work

While it is possible to move to Hawaii without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Hawaii’s main industries include tourism, agriculture, and military defence.

As of September 2021, the unemployment rate in Hawaii was 6.1%, which is lower than the peak rate of 23.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic, but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. The state is working to rebuild its economy and create more job opportunities for residents.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
• How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Hawaii from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Hawaii, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size Comparison: Tasmania has a land area of approximately 68,401 square kilometres, which is about four times larger than Hawaii’s land area.
• Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Hawaii from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Hawaii. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

• Size: The city of Halifax in Nova Scotia has a land area of approximately 5,490 square kilometres, which is roughly one-third the size of Hawaii.
• Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process.  Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Hawaii from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Hawaii. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

• Size: The UK is roughly 14 times larger than Hawaii.
• Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Hawaii, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Hawaii you can start by comparing moving quotes here.