Median rent is 45% lower in Urban Honolulu ($1,783/mo vs $3,249/mo). Buying is cheaper in Urban Honolulu, where the median home runs $834,100 versus $1,172,300. Households earn more in East Honolulu ($158,398 vs $85,428 a year).
City A
East Honolulu, HI
City B
Urban Honolulu, HI
How much would you need to earn in Urban Honolulu, HI 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
Urban Honolulu
Hawaii
👥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 Urban Honolulu — median rent of $1,783/mo versus $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in East Honolulu: the median home is $1,172,300 versus $834,100 in Urban Honolulu — 29% 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 11.00% in Hawaii, so Urban Honolulu is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Hawaii and 4.00% in Hawaii; Urban Honolulu has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
East Honolulu
Income tax: 11.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Urban Honolulu
Income tax: 11.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Urban Honolulu (avg AQI 34.0) but not yet for East Honolulu.
Pick East Honolulu if you prioritize higher median household income ($158,398/yr).
Pick Urban Honolulu if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,783/mo median).
Is East Honolulu cheaper than Urban Honolulu?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in East Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu?
Median rent is $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, HI and $1,783/mo in Urban Honolulu, HI. Urban Honolulu, HI has the lower rent by about 45%.
Which has higher salaries — East Honolulu or Urban Honolulu?
Median household income is $158,398 in East Honolulu, HI and $85,428 in Urban Honolulu, HI. 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 Urban Honolulu?
Hawaii's top income tax rate is 11.00% and Hawaii's is 11.00%. Urban Honolulu, HI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Urban Honolulu 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