Hawaii
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 22% 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)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$95k90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$73kbetter than 1% of US states
Home Value$771k100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 2% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$3kbetter than 6% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.27%better than 99% 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
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.
- What is the median home value in Hawaii?
- The median home value in Hawaii is $771k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Hawaii?
- Median household income in Hawaii is $95k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Hawaii?
- Median gross rent in Hawaii is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- 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.
Best places to live in Hawaii
Top cities in Hawaii
Counties in Hawaii
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)