Median rent is 42% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $3,249/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $1,172,300. Households earn more in East Honolulu ($158,398 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
East Honolulu, HI
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from East Honolulu, HI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
East Honolulu
Hawaii
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in East Honolulu: the median home is $1,172,300 versus $879,500 in Los Angeles — 25% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Hawaii's top income tax rate is 11.00% versus 13.30% in California, so East Honolulu is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Hawaii and 7.25% in California; East Honolulu has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
East Honolulu
Income tax: 11.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for East Honolulu.
Pick East Honolulu if you prioritize higher median household income ($158,398/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick East Honolulu if you prioritize lower state income tax (11.00%).
Is East Honolulu cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in East Honolulu vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, HI and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 42%.
Which has higher salaries — East Honolulu or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $158,398 in East Honolulu, HI and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. East Honolulu, HI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — East Honolulu or Los Angeles?
Hawaii's top income tax rate is 11.00% and California's is 13.30%. East Honolulu, HI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my East Honolulu income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology