Hawaii
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 24% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 69% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 51% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 57% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 71% of US states
- top 1% for property tax rate
- top 1% for annual snowfall
- bottom 1% for cost of living
Hawaii is a U.S. state with about 1,451,000 residents. It grades B+ for lifestyle & connectivity and D for affordability. Standout strengths include property tax rate, annual snowfall, and air quality. It rates lower on monthly rent and cost of living.
Official websiteportal.ehawaii.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Hawaii is $771k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Hawaii is $95k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Hawaii is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Hawaii has a violent crime rate of 1032/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Hawaii is 27 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$95k90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$73kbetter than 0% of US states
Home Value$771k100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 2% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$149kbetter than 24% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.27%better than 100% of US states
Income Tax11.00%better than 4% of US states
Sales Tax4.50%better than 90% of US states
Estimated total tax burden14.65%better than 20% of US states
Unemployment5.1%better than 57% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)72°F100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation51.6 in84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.0 inbetter than 99% of US states
Sunny Days244 daysbetter than 71% of US states
Summer Humidity68°Fbetter than 22% of US states
Comfortable Days72 daysbetter than 22% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk97.4better than 6% of US states
Air Quality29 AQIbetter than 98% of US states
School Quality71.9better than 62% of US states
Violent Crime1032/100kbetter than 64% of US states
Property Crime2187/100kbetter than 30% of US states
Community
Population1,450,58922nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.067th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.72100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0284th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+308th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)21.0%2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.8%20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)11.0%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)36.5%100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)29.7%100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time27 minbetter than 31% of US states
Walkability10.4/20better than 76% of US states
Airport Distance53 mibetter than 59% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access89.8%better than 78% of US states
Amenities Nearby0.93better than 12% of US states
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 94% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hawaii an affordable place to live?
- Hawaii is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $73k, better than 0% of comparable areas. Median rent is $2k.
- Is Hawaii safe?
- Hawaii is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1032/100k (better than 64%). Property crime is 2187/100k.
- What is the weather like in Hawaii?
- Hawaii averages 79°F in July and 72°F in January, with 51.6 in of annual precipitation and about 244 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Hawaii?
- Public-school quality in Hawaii is above average, scoring better than 62% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Hawaii?
- The average one-way commute in Hawaii is 27 min.