What's the most affordable Hawaiian island to live on? The Big Island. With Hawaii's lowest average cost of living (according to MIT's Living Wage project), lowest fair market rents, and lowest typical yearly expenses, the Big Island can be the most economical island in Hawaii.
The cheapest part of Hawaii to live is generally the Big Island, specifically areas like Hilo and Puna. How much money should I have saved up to move to Hawaii? It's recommended to have at least 3-6 months of living expenses saved up before moving to Hawaii, in addition to the costs of moving and securing housing.
Among the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is known as the Friendly Isle, and those who live there would consider it the best island to live on by far. With many longtime families and few visitors living on remote Molokai, it is one of the most secluded Hawaiian Islands.
Waianae is the cheapest place to live in Oahu. This small town is located on the island's eastern coast and is home to an abundance of outdoor activities and authentic local cuisine. Local attractions here include the Waianae Mountain Range, Kahumana Organic Farms & Cafe, and Pokai Bay Beach Park.
In order to "be happy" in Hawaii in 2023, one study reports that you'll need a whopping salary of just under $200,000.
Cost of living in Sydney (Australia) is 11% cheaper than in Honolulu, Hawaii (United States)
“Generally, experts suggest that a comfortable living in Hawaii would require an annual income of at least $80,000 to $100,000 for a single person and around $125,000 to $150,000 for a family.” You'll need to consider various other factors, too.
Remember that it's pretty hard to find a job on the islands even though the unemployment rate is generally low. However, this depends on your skills and the industry you are looking in. Some of the most thriving industries include tourism, health care, hospitality, IT, marketing, and property management.
Bottom Line. Moving to Hawaii is expensive but it can be a very rewarding place to live. The weather, outdoors life, and sunsets can be remarkable every single day. However, your taxes, housing, and overall cost of living is almost certain to increase if you're moving from most other parts of the country.
The cost of living is the lowest on Big Island – around 25 % lower than the Hawaiian average. Big Island is relatively affordable due to its large size, lack of infrastructure, and the risks posed by volcanic activity.
According to our 2023 State of Safety Survey, Hawaiians report lower experiences with violent crime and a low statewide violent crime rate.
Notably, though, Hawaii was named the healthiest and happiest state seven years in a row in Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index from 2012–2019. If you're a retiree looking to maximize your quality of life in your golden years, Hawaii is worth a look.
Hawaii faces a number of pressing problems in the near future, including a rapidly changing climate, corrupt government reputation, poor business climate, along with homelessness, drug use, and poverty. When polling residents, they said the worst issues the Big Island faced were homelessness, drugs and traffic.
What is the requirement to drive in Hawaii using my valid foreign license? Countries that ratified the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), may use their foreign national driver's license along with their valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii.
Australian travellers with a current Australian passport can stay in Hawaii for up to 90 days without a visa. However, as Hawaii is a US state, you must get an ESTA in advance (recommended to apply at least 72 hours in advance).
Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers visitors stunning views and plenty of activities. Hamilton Island Beaches offer the opportunity to explore the reef up close, making the island one of the most similar places to Hawaii in Australia.
As of Q1 of 2022, the median home price in the United States was $428,700. In Hawaii, the median home price was $1.04 million. In Honolulu county, the average single-family home price was $1.15 million for a single-family house and $515,500 for a condo.
Smartasset recommends having at least $30,000 saved before applying for a home loan. They also recommend having a minimum income of $90,000 to ensure your monthly payment and other debts do no exceed 36% of your monthly income.
Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You. Pew explains that a middle income equals an annual household income of $52,000 to $156,000 for a family of three, based on 2020 dollars.