Honolulu, Hawaii
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Honolulu.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Honolulu?
For relocators asking how much Honolulu costs: the housing index sits at 204 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $834,100 and rents near $1,783. Local median income is about $85,428 and unemployment recently ran 2.8% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 28 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 270.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 204U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $834,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,783U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $85,428U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 2.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 28 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 270.6per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Honolulu compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 344,967City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $85,428Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 204ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year104% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $834,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year175% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,783City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 2.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 28 min12% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6647% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 270.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)54% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3001.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 68°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals34.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 16.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals50% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 276As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Honolulu grew 1.7% from 339,121 in 2010 to 344,967 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Honolulu expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Honolulu runs 104 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 204 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $834,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,783 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Honolulu?
Budget first around $1,783/month rent or $834,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $834,100
- Median rent $1,783/month
- Median household income $85,428
What is the job market like in Honolulu?
Labor-market context for Honolulu: unemployment 2.8% and median income $85,428. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 2.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $85,428
How long is the typical commute in Honolulu?
Plan on roughly 28 minutes each way in Honolulu. Walk Score estimates around 66 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 28 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 66/100
Is Honolulu safer than similar U.S. cities?
Honolulu's FBI-derived violent rate (~270.6/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 270.6 per 100k
- Property 3001.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Honolulu?
Honolulu's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 68°F winter mornings, 16.4" annual rainfall, and 276 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 68°F
- 16.4 in rain · 276 sunny days
About 344,967 people live in Honolulu, HI. Households here report a median income near $85,428; our housing-derived cost index is about 204 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $834,100 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Island logistics, trade winds, and high shipping costs show up in everyday prices. Roughly 276 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 28 minutes one-way, with walkability near 66/100. A recent county unemployment reading near 2.8% suggests a relatively tight local labor market. Violent-offense rates around 270.6 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Honolulu is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Honolulu with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Urban Honolulu CDP, 1600000US1571550) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Honolulu County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00022521 HONOLULU INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10