Is it Expensive to Live in Hawaii? Hawaii Food, Rent, and Transport

Once you have decided to move to Hawaii, you are probably left wondering about your living budget once you arrive. Well, the average cost of living in Hawaii greatly depends on the island and the city of your choice. For instance, although Oahu offers the highest job availability, it is considerably more expensive to live here than on islands like the Big Island.

The average rent in Hawaii varies from one location to another. Data from NeighborhoodScout is $2,413 per month while the median home value is $672, 429. In Oahu and Honolulu, bedroom apartments can go for $1,743 on average. A studio in Oahu can cost about $1,670 while Waikiki can range from $1400 to $1700. 

Utility bills are very high in Hawaii compared to other states. A 2017 study done by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that the average energy bill in Hawaii was $149.33 per month, which is higher than the national average of $111.67.

Since groceries are shipped from the mainland to Hawaii, they tend to be more expensive. On average, you will spend around $8 to $12 for breakfast, $8 to $15 for lunch, and $15 to $30 for dinner.

If you live in a populated area and plan to use public transportation, then you will pay ticket for one-way rides at $2.75. Alternatively, you can get a one-day pass at $5.50 or a monthly pass for $70. 



However, if you live downtown where you have to commute longer distances, owning or driving a vehicle would be most ideal. Hence, you need to take into account the cost of gas, which was about $3.16 gallon on the island of Honolulu. Also, you need to factor in parking if your company doesn’t provide one. 

Wondering how much it will cost you to live in Hawaii? Here is the ultimate guide.

Food prices in Hawaii are a bit high since they are sourced from the mainland. According to a report by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the prices for groceries in Hawaii are higher than in other areas in the US. 

Although the price of food in Hawaii varies, the average price for meals in the Islands is $61 per day. On average, breakfast in Hawaii can cost between $4 and $7, lunch can cost between $5 and $10, while dinner can cost about $12 and $ 30 or more. 

The islands are packed with numerous great restaurants that are expensive compared to fast foods on the streets. Therefore, if you want to save more, you can always opt to buy food in a fast food. 

Besides, there are several chain markets like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Walmart that are relatively cheap and offer products on sale. With a Costco membership, you can buy groceries in bulk at affordable prices. It is also highly recommendable to shop on sale rather than buying food when you need it. This, you will save tremendously on your food in Hawaii. 

Hawaii offers various ways to explore the islands depending on your preference and budgetary needs. You can travel by land, air, or water and each option have its advantages and disadvantages. 

For this option, you can choose to rent a car or use a public transportation system.

This is a good option to get around the islands if you are on a budget. Although driving comes with a lot of freedom, it can be quite expensive. Bus services are the only public transportation services on the islands and they are quite affordable as well. There are no trains, subways, or trams on any of the Hawaiian Islands. 



There is a bus system on every island and they are designated to service various routes. For instance, you can opt for the Maui Bus system that has different routes to cover the island. However, it does not cover Haleakala and Hana.

Of course, the bus tickets may vary with the routes and the bus system. Nevertheless, it is pretty affordable to use a bus in Hawaii and you can expect to pay about $2 to $2.75 for a one-way ride. A one-day pass costs about $5.50, a month-pass costs $70, while an annual pass costs $770. 

If freedom and independence matter to you, then renting a car may be a good option. With a rented car, you can go anywhere you want and you will not be limited to specific routes. However, it is impossible to island-hop with a rental car, meaning that you can only use it on one island. 



There are several rental companies in the region and most of them charge around $40 to $50 per day, exclusive of a driver. 

However, if you want a driver on board, you may be required to add an extra $15. Other car rental costs include petrol and insurance. For the insurance, you may have to part with about $8 per day. 

Furthermore, there are taxi services on the island that can help you move around. If you choose to rent a car, make sure that you take parking into consideration. Parking can be an issue especially if you live or work on the island of Oahu. In this case, you may want to rent a parking spot monthly. 

These two transportation options are worth considering when you want to do island hopping in Hawaii. Although expensive, you can hire the services of an inter-island airline service to fly between islands. These services in Hawaii include Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. 

To save money, it is recommended to fly between major airports or islands rather than between smaller islands. For instance, a one-way ticket from Oahu to Maui can cost about $40 to $85 while a one way from Kauai to Molokai can cost you between $90 and $110. 



As for the ferry, there is only one ferry that offers inter-island services between Maui and Lanai. A one-way ticket for this can cost about $30. 

The cost of living differs in different Hawaiian cities with the largest cities costing considerably more. For example, the cost of living in Honolulu, which is one of Hawaii’s four largest cities, can cost $3, 626 monthly for a single person and $5,987 for a family of four. 

An average resident in Hawaii needs to make at least $17.63 per hour in 2020 as the living wage. This is expected to cater for expenses like food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and other expenses. In Hawaii, the minimum wage is $10.10, which is a bit high than the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

The cost of living in the U.S varies from one state to another. It is basically money that you need to live comfortably and afford basic expenses such as food, healthcare, housing, and taxes. 

According to data by Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Hawaii’s cost of living in 2019 was the highest in all the U.S. states. Generally, the cost of things in Hawaii is 30% more than on the mainland. Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. while California ranks third.

When you compare the cost of living in Hawaii and that of California, you will likely find that Hawaii’s cost of living is considerably higher. The cost of living index in Hawaii is 196.3 while that in California is 138.5. Hawaii’s house index is 336.3, transportation is 138.8, and grocery cost index is 167.7. On the other hand, the housing cost index is 196.5, transportation is 132.4, and the grocery index is 117.3.

When you live in California as compared to Hawaii, you will pay cheaper for groceries, restaurants, clothing, entertainment, and sports. Nevertheless, you will pay more for housing in California than in Hawaii. 

Although Hawaii is a beautiful place to adventure and explore, the cost of living can be a bit high. Nevertheless, it is still possible to save money and this starts by evaluating your lifestyle. Consider living like a Hawaiian local and make several sacrifices like eating our less and being selective on the stores that you shop in. 



Do your research and know stores that have sales to help you save on groceries, snacks, fruits, and more. Also, several places offer discounts for those with a local ID or driver’s license.

Find cheap cities across the islands that are far from the tourist areas. We suggest checking out the Big Island and Hilo. Living in these areas is quite affordable compared to living in the main islands. 

Although the cost of living in Hawaii is high, this should not deter you from starting a life here. Hawaii offers numerous exciting opportunities that you don’t want to miss. If you are planning to move to the Hawaiian Islands, we hope that you have gathered enough information to make it work for you and your family.