HONOLULU (KHON2) — Living in Hawaiʻi is more expensive than almost anywhere else in the country. Families and single adults alike face some of the highest costs for housing, food and everyday needs.
The United States’ Census Bureau’s Income in the United States report gives national numbers on household income; and it lists medians, ranges and income inequality.
But it does not explain how much money a family needs to live comfortably in Hawaiʻi or in any other state.
So, other studies, like SmartAsset and the MIT Living Wage Calculator, take the census information to contextualize it for states and cities across the US.
This studies put a clear number on what it takes in Honolulu.
To live comfortably in 2025, a household needs between $225,751 and $280,000 a year, respectively. That amount covers basic needs, discretionary spending, long-term savings and taxes.
So, if there is a two-earner household, then each person needs to earn between ~$112,000 and $140,000. If it’s a single-earner household, then the full amount is on their shoulders.
These amounts break down to adult earners needing to make between $53/hour and $135/hour in order to achieve the needed amount.
But not many jobs in Hawaiʻi offer this type of pay. Most all are significantly lower with the average pay being $30/hour. And that is only for Oahu. The other islands are paid event less.
Buying a home in Hawaiʻi adds to the challenge. The median price is about $850,000. To qualify for a mortgage on a house like that, a household usually needs an income of at least $202,526 each year.
Across all studies, one theme is clear. Whether single or part of a family, people in Hawaiʻi need far more money than the national average to live comfortably.
For individuals, estimates range from $80,000 to $120,000 a year. For families, it often takes $200,000 to $300,000 or more.
In light of this new study, KHON2.com reached out to a local resident who is a single mother of one child.
She is currently working three jobs: one remote work full time job, several part time gig jobs and a job as a LYFT driver. For her, time with her child is what suffers the most.
“Ya know, I’m doing all this work for my kid, but I never see her,” lamented the mom, who wished to remain anonymous. “We are so happy to be here in Hawaii, but I worry that with so little time to spend with her, she isn’t learning about the important things in life.”
For the mom, those important things are spending time with the ones you love, spreading aloha to her neighbors and being a contributing part of her community outside of work.
“I haven’t been able to volunteer in the community for about four years now,” she explained. “For me, that is one of the most important parts of living here.”
You can click here for the U.S. Census data, here and here for the SmartAssets and MIT reports and here for the USA Facts site.
For now, Hawaiʻi remains amongst the most expensive states in the U.S. for making ends meet and planning for the future.