doxoINSIGHTS » Hawaii » Cost of Living in Hawaii: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2025

Cost of Living in Hawaii: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2025

What is the cost of living in Hawaii? doxo breaks down key insights about Hawaii’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state. 

According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Hawaii pays $2,712 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Internet, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.

The data sheds light on Hawaii’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month. 

By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.

Hawaii ranks as the 2nd most expensive state in the US for household bills

According to doxo’s COBI report, Hawaii is ranked as the 2nd most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills.

At $32,544 per year, Hawaii’s household expenses, on average, are 32% higher than the US median of $24,695. 

Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Hawaii households spend 33% of their income on bills. 

COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national median and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national median. The COBI for Hawaii is 132.

• Median Bill Cost per Household: $2,712 per month
• Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 132
• doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #2
• Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 33%
• Compared to the National Median: 32% higher

Hawaii Household Expenses are 32% Higher Than the National Median

The average Hawaii household pays $2,712 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills. 

On the lowest end of the spectrum, the median monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Hawaii is $73, compared to the national median of $74, making it the same as the national median.

Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Hawaii residents. The median monthly mortgage payment is $2,494, compared to the national median of $1,775, making it 41% more expensive. 

Median Hawaii Household Bill Spending

*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Kaaawa has the highest cost of living in Hawaii for household bills

Residents of Kaaawa pay the highest household bills in the state of Hawaii, at a median of $3,823 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Kaaawa is 185, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 85% higher than the national median.

In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Kaaawa make up 41% of the median annual household income of $112,237. 

Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.

5 Most Expensive Hawaii Cities for Household Bills

*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Pahala has the lowest cost of living in Hawaii for household bills

Pahala is the most affordable place in Hawaii, with residents paying $1,306 on average for household bills, accounting for 25% of annual income of $63,438. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Pahala is 63, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 37% below the national median. 

Hoolehua is the second most affordable city in Hawaii, with residents paying $1,341 per month on average.

Also on the list of the 5 least expensive cities in Hawaii are Ocean View ($1,348), Pahoa ($1,394) and Naalehu ($1,441).

5 Most Affordable Hawaii Cities for Household Bills

*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Hawaii with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.