How expensive is it to live in Hawaii?

It is very expensive to live in Hawaii. Fortunately, it’s a topic that’s frequently researched and reported.

Most Expensive State to Live

In September 2014, Wall St. Cheat Sheet published a list via USA Today that gave Hawaii the top spot in its “7 Most Expensive States to Live in the U.S.” list.

Cost of Living Index: 162.9
Grocery Index: 159.7
Housing Index: 213.1
Utilities Index: 227.8
Transportation Index: 125.3
Health Index: 113.3
Misc.: 126.6

“Paradise is expensive. To live comfortably in Hawaii, you’d need a salary of over $122,000, as of late. Dinner and a movie in Honolulu will cost you around $75, which is a little high. Your grocery bill may be on the higher end in this area as well, with the price of bread and eggs averaging over $4 each. The median home value in Hawaii is $518,800 and the median list price is a little higher at $525,000 ($420 per square foot). If you decide to rent, you’re looking payment of just under $2,000 per month, and that’s if you pay the median price. To keep the utilities running in a small apartment in Honolulu, you’re facing a cost of around $285 per month.”