Whats the cost of living like in Hawaii compared to the mainland 48 states?

Answer 1

Actually, some of the answers are very misleading ... I am originally FROM the SF Bay Area, and currently live on Oahu.

Our house was in the mid 200s when we bought it in 2002 (small three BR single family home), it has probably doubled in value since then. High 400s to low 500s now.

Okay, compare that to the Bay Area, where you can't touch a decent house (similar to ours) for that same money. A home in a good part of Oakland, SF, Lafayette or Santa Clara County will be 700-800K easy. Would take very little to get the price there over 1 million.

Gas is slightly less expensive here than Northern CA. I just filled up for $2.759 per gallon here in Hawaii. I was in Oakland this past week, and paid $2.82 to put gas in my mom's car.

Groceries are where we take the hit. Milk can easily be $4 to $6 for a single gallon. Cereal runs at $5 a box or so. I can't feed my family (2 adults, 2 kids) for less than $150 per week.

Utilities are similar in cost to the Bay Area ...

If you want a really good idea of real estate, try www.realtor.com, then type in Honolulu.

Answer 2

Imagine this for a sec. Hawaii's gallon of milk $5, Mainland's gallon of milk $ 3. hmm you figure out the rest.

Answer 3

I would have to say that it is the 3rd most expensive state to live in. The way I live, with just me and my fiancé we have to make at least $17.00 an hour (figuring at 8 hours a day, 5 days a week)to BARLEY scrape by. I can not imagine having kids here right now, or high credit card bills.

Answer 4

The Cost of Living in Paradise is High!

If you are thinking of making Hawaii your home, consider the following facts:

Sources indicate a cost of living ranging from 30% above the national average to well over 60% for certain family sizes.
In 2006, a family of 4 renting accommodation in Honolulu needs to earn $111,695 or 55% more income to maintain a lifestyle similar to a comparable family earning $72,000 in the continental United States.

Although the 2003 median income of $71,320 for a family of 4 in Hawaii was higher than the national figure of $65,093, this is still below the amount required to maintain the same standard of living for a family of 4 in Hawaii as elsewhere in America.3

Hawaii's High Cost of Housing and Low Income
A major component of Hawaii's high cost of living can be attributed to its high cost of housing and low income.
In 2005, the State of Hawaii ranked number 10 out of 47 States surveyed (Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana were excluded) for having the most expensive housing market based on a 2200 sq. ft. (approx.) single family dwelling with 4-bedrooms, 2.5 baths, family room (or equivalent) and a 2-car garage in a corporate middle-management neighborhood. Hawaii ranks number 47 (bottom of the list) for the most affordable housing market! 4

The national average of the markets surveyed in the above study was $401,767. The survey showed that the 2005 Average Sales Price for the most expensive Hawaii market was $745,454 (Kihei, Maui) and the most affordable was $737,625 (Honolulu, Oahu) - well over the national average.

2005 set record high prices for single family dwellings on the Island of Oahu. The 2005 median resale price of a single family home was $590,000. The 2005 median resale price for a condominium was $269,000.5 The cost of housing on neighbor islands was even higher and higher incomes were harder to obtain.6

In 2004, Hawaii's home ownership rate (proportion of owner households to the total number of occupied households) was only 60.9%, ranking Hawaii as 48th (one of the lowest) in the nation - indicative of widespread speculative investment.7

Continued at http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/overpop.htm

Answer 5

Here's something that you must remember....Hawaii is an Island, which means that EVERYTHING must be brought there...and the additional cost of shipping has to be passed on to someone....
If you are aware of the cost of living say in San Francisco/Silicon Valley Area & San Diego....Just double it!!

Answer 6

I researched houses in hawaii a few years ago and the average house cost $100,000 Is that any help?

Answer 7

when i was living their in 1999-2002 it was reasonable but i haven't been back ever since but it should be the same or maby a little bit higher

Answer 8

I'm interested in that, too. It would be too cool to live there.

Answer 9

its more expensive try this web site
http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Answer 10

EXPENSIVE!!!