What salary do you need to live in Hawaii?

To live comfortably in Hawaii, a single person generally needs to earn $80,000 to over $100,000 annually, while a family of four requires significantly more, often cited around $290,000 to $300,000+, due to Hawaii's high cost of living, especially for housing, utilities, and groceries, with Honolulu often needing $112k for one person or $299k for a family. A minimalist lifestyle might be possible on less, but a comfortable life demands a substantial income.

Can I live in Hawaii on $3,000 a month?

Living in Hawaii on $3,000 a month is extremely challenging and requires significant sacrifice, like having roommates and being very frugal, as basic expenses (especially housing, which averages $1,000-$2,000+ for small places) often exceed that budget, particularly in Honolulu; however, a super-minimalist lifestyle on less expensive islands like parts of the Big Island or with house-sitting/alternative living might make it barely possible but definitely tight. 

Is $100,000 a good salary in Hawaii?

Making 100k is better than ``middle class'' if you're single. Definitely most people making 100k in Hawaii are not single. Hawaii is still expensive so it won't go that far, but I would say it's notably better than average for a single person.

What is considered high income in Hawaii?

Defining what constitutes a 'good' salary depends on various factors, including the cost of living, the type of job, and individual needs. For instance, $120,000 may be considered a higher-than-average salary in Hawaii, but this could still be inadequate in high-cost areas such as Honolulu.

What is a livable salary in Hawaii?

The living wage in Hawaii is $17.90 per hour for a single adult with no children. The living wage differs depending on the number and ages of family members. For example, the living wage for a single adult with one child is $32.73 per hour, while the living wage for a single adult with two children is $38.55 per hour.

Cost of living in Hawaii | How do people make it?

Is $30 an hour good in Hawaii?

Hawaii ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 30 An Hour salaries.

What's the cheapest island in Hawaii to live on?

The Big Island (Hawaii) generally offers the most affordable living in Hawaii, with places like Hilo and Pahoa having lower housing costs than Oahu, while parts of Oahu like Waipahu and Waianae also provide budget-friendly options compared to Honolulu, but be prepared for high overall costs, even with cheaper islands.
 

What jobs are in high demand in Hawaii?

Hawaii needs workers in Healthcare (nurses, techs, caregivers), Skilled Trades (electricians, HVAC, automotive), Tech (IT support, project coordinators), Hospitality/Tourism (flight attendants, drivers, retail), and Construction/Logistics (warehouse, drivers, maintenance) due to growth, an aging population, and a strong tourism/defense sector, with roles ranging from entry-level to specialized professionals like nurse practitioners and power linemen.
 

How does anyone afford to live in Hawaii?

People afford Hawaii's high cost by embracing communal living (multi-generational homes, shared housing), reducing expenses through local food/gardening, using alternative transport, securing stable/lower-cost housing (ADUs, long-term ownership), and finding income streams like tutoring or renting parts of their property, managing expenses tightly with budgeting and bulk buying to offset high import costs. 

What is the minimum wage in Hawaii?

Hawaii's minimum wage increased to $16.00 per hour on January 1, 2026, up from $14.00, with further scheduled increases to reach $18.00 by 2028, making it one of the highest state minimum wages in the U.S. 

How much to retire comfortably in Hawaii?

According to CNBC, you will need about $2 million to retire comfortably in Hawaii. This is about $1 million more than the average amount Americans say they need. These calculations are based on the median household income in Honolulu County, which stands at $88,000, and the recommended 4% withdrawal rate in retirement.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hawaii?

A typical 2-bedroom rental in Honolulu averages around $3,000/month. Buying a $1M home with 20% down can mean a $5,500–$6,000 monthly payment including taxes and insurance—often plus HOA fees. Renting is usually cheaper month-to-month; owning shifts more of your payment into equity.

How much is 1 gallon of milk in Hawaii?

A gallon of milk in Hawaii typically costs between $6.50 and $9.00, significantly more than the mainland U.S., with prices varying slightly by island (Honolulu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai) and store, often around $7.99 or higher due to high shipping costs for feed and the island's isolation.
 

Is it easy to find a job in Hawaii?

Then your first task is to find a new job. Looking for a job in Hawaii isn't always easy. After all, given the opportunity, most people would jump at the chance to live and work in paradise. What that translates to is a whole lot of competition in the Hawaii job market.

What's the safest island to live on in Hawaii?

If you're just looking at the sheer number of incidents on each island, Kauai is the safest island to live on.

Where is the cheapest land to buy in Hawaii?

The most affordable islands to buy land in Hawaii are typically the Island of Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai and rural parts of Maui and Kauai. Islands like Oahu with popular tourist spots boast high priced real estate, putting affordable land out of reach for many buyers.

How much money to save to move to Hawaii?

Moving to Hawaii is expensive, costing anywhere from $1,000 to over $10,000+ just for shipping household goods, with major factors being the volume of items, distance (often from the West Coast), and if you ship vehicles, plus a significantly higher cost of living for housing, groceries, and gas making $70k-$100k/year a minimum for singles and $120k-$200k for families for a decent life. Expect to pay for moving containers (e.g., $300-$1000+ per container) or freight, plus thousands more for vehicle transport, with overall moving costs often exceeding $10,000 for a substantial move. 

How much is toilet paper in Hawaii?

Four rolls of toilet paper will be about $6. Eating out will add up quickly. The average cost of breakfast in Hawaii is $9 to $15, lunch at about $12 to $18 and dinner will cost $15 to $30 (or more).

Are groceries expensive in Hawaii?

Yes, groceries in Hawaii are significantly more expensive, often 30-60% higher than the U.S. mainland, primarily because the islands import most of their food, increasing costs for shipping, handling, and import fees, with staples like milk, eggs, and fresh produce costing much more, though farmers' markets and bulk stores can help save money. 

What is a middle class salary in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the middle-class income range in 2025 generally falls between roughly $63,500 and $190,000 for a household, though some sources place the lower bound slightly higher at around $65,500 and the upper end near $196,600, with variations depending on the study's median income data and cost of living adjustments, making Hawaii one of the states with the highest middle-class thresholds.
 

What is a good salary by age?

A "good" salary generally increases with age and experience, peaking in the 45-54 age bracket (around $70k-$72k median), but what's good depends heavily on location and career; for example, a 25-34 year old might aim for $59k+, while a 35-44 year old could target $70k+, with significant jumps as you gain experience, though personal finances, skills, and cost of living matter more than age alone, say Fidelity, SmartAsset.com, and SoFi.
 

Which race makes the most money in America?

Asian Americans consistently earn the highest median incomes in the U.S., followed by White Americans, with Black and Hispanic households generally having lower median incomes, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with Asian households leading significantly in both income and wealth accumulation due to factors like higher education levels and larger household sizes.
 

What percentage of Americans make over $100,000 annually?

Only 18% of Americans earn more than $100K/year — here's the 1 big thing they credit most for success.