Cost of Living in Hawaii: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
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 $3,091 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, 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 1st most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Hawaii is ranked as the 1st most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $37,090 per year, Hawaii’s household expenses, on average, are 37% higher than the US average of $25,513.
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 39% 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 average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Hawaii is 145.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $3,091 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 145
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #1
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 39%
- Compared to the National Average: 37% higher
Hawaii Household Expenses are 37% Higher Than the National Average
The average Hawaii household pays $3,091 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 average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Hawaii is $85, compared to the national average of $85, making it the same as average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Hawaii residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $2,423, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 53% more expensive.
Average Hawaii Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Hawaii Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Hawaii Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $2,423 | $1,402 | 53% higher |
| Rent | $1,983 | $1,300 | 42% higher |
| Auto Loan | $529 | $496 | 6% higher |
| Utilities | $634 | $362 | 55% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $252 | $209 | 19% higher |
| Health Insurance | $133 | $114 | 15% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $130 | $121 | 7% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $118 | $122 | 3% lower |
| Life Insurance | $144 | $87 | 49% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $85 | $85 | The same |
| Total | $3,091 | $2,126 | 37% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Kailua has the highest cost of living in Hawaii for household bills
Residents of Kailua pay the highest household bills in the state of Hawaii, at an average of $3,920 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Kailua is 184, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 84% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Kailua makeup 39% of the average annual household income of $121,536.
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.
10 Most Expensive Hawaii Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Kailua | $121,536 | $3,920 | 184 | 84% higher | 39% |
| 2 | Ewa Beach | $118,316 | $3,725 | 175 | 75% higher | 38% |
| 3 | Wahiawa | $77,287 | $3,644 | 171 | 71% higher | 57% |
| 4 | Kapolei | $116,075 | $3,613 | 170 | 70% higher | 37% |
| 5 | Lahaina | $92,889 | $3,453 | 162 | 62% higher | 45% |
| 6 | Waipahu | $104,590 | $3,428 | 161 | 61% higher | 39% |
| 7 | Kaneohe | $124,247 | $3,343 | 157 | 57% higher | 32% |
| 8 | Mililani | $119,475 | $3,160 | 149 | 49% higher | 32% |
| 9 | Pearl City | $105,142 | $3,103 | 146 | 46% higher | 35% |
| 10 | Waianae | $70,575 | $3,094 | 146 | 46% higher | 47% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Pahoa has the lowest cost of living in Hawaii for household bills
Out of 23 cities, Pahoa is the most affordable place in Hawaii, with residents paying $1,886 on average for household bills, accounting for 58% of annual income of $39,010. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Pahoa is 89, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 11% below the national average.
Hilo is the second most affordable city in Hawaii, with residents paying $2,277 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Hawaii are Keaau ($2,278), Kahului ($2,744) and Makawao ($2,752).
10 Most Affordable Hawaii Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 14 | Kamuela | $101,730 | $2,916 | 137 | 37% higher | 34% |
| 15 | Wailuku | $107,101 | $2,912 | 137 | 37% higher | 33% |
| 16 | Lihue | $88,449 | $2,887 | 136 | 36% higher | 39% |
| 17 | Kailua Kona | $90,094 | $2,850 | 134 | 34% higher | 38% |
| 18 | Kapaa | $90,939 | $2,803 | 132 | 32% higher | 37% |
| 19 | Makawao | $113,528 | $2,752 | 129 | 29% higher | 29% |
| 20 | Kahului | $98,520 | $2,744 | 129 | 29% higher | 33% |
| 21 | Keaau | $76,762 | $2,278 | 107 | 7% higher | 39% |
| 22 | Hilo | $75,265 | $2,277 | 107 | 7% higher | 36% |
| 23 | Pahoa | $39,101 | $1,886 | 89 | 11% lower | 58% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages 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.