Hawaiiincome tax up to 11%, lowest property tax, median home $840K
D+26 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 196
11%
Income Tax
281
Violent Crime / 100K
80.7
Life Expectancy
$840K
Median Home
$1,850
Childcare / Mo
Hawaii in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Hawaii
Hawaii has the lowest property-tax rates in the nation but the highest home prices, so the dollar bills are not low. Nearly everything is shipped in, which pushes groceries and utilities to the top of the national range. The state has a graduated income tax reaching 11% and an estate tax, and it does not tax Social Security or most public pensions.
What Hawaii taxes, and what it doesn't
Hawaii levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 11%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 7.3%, about $5,441 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 7.8%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Hawaii has the highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.27% of home value a year, roughly $2,268 on the state's median home of $840K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Hawaii has the lowest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 4.44%, the 6th lowest in the country (the state portion is 4%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is fully exempt, and an estate tax applies above $5.49 million.
Capital gains are taxed at a special rate of 7.25%.
Housing and the cost of living in Hawaii
Hawaii's cost of living index is 196, where 100 is the national average; that is the most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $840K, 177% above the national figure and the highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $2,500 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $500 a year, flood coverage adds about $650 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,120.
Budget $250 a month for electricity and gas, $900 a month in groceries for two, $1,850 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 281 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Hawaii is the 13th safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,480 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 80.7 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 4.8% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Hawaii's health system 11th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 25th in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Hawaii is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 26 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are may-issue, at the discretion of local authorities, a permit is required to buy a handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws A.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Hawaii is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $14.00 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are hurricane, tsunami, volcano. Annual average air quality index is 18 (under 50 is good).
Hawaii has no top-25 hub airport, with about 75 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Hawaii
State Profile
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$2,268/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Above US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Below national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs dominate the housing stock (Census ACS 2024)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
State enables county bans; most islands limit STRs to resort zones; most restrictive state.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Below the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates — 35% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Above national avg (76.4)
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Well below national avg
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Very expensive (national avg ~$1,200)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Dirtier than US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Well above national avg ($150)
Electricity Rate
Well above national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Among the worst roads in the US
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Highly urban — big city feel
Restaurant Density
Outstanding food scene
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.1/100K residents — Growing
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Kona Brewing birthplace; Maui Arts & Cultural Center; Hawaii Songwriting Festival
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Legal to viability; strong state protections
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
One of 2 states where all forms of gambling are illegal (with Utah). No lottery, no casinos, no sports betting.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Little Beach (Maui) · Red Hill (Oahu) · Spencer Beach (Big Island)
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Excellent (national avg ~38)
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
Alcohol-establishment ban upheld (Wolford, 9th Cir.); worship ban enjoined; SCOTUS review pending.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1.5% job growth · 2.9% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Among the most unionized states (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
0.5% gross receipts tax applies
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
General Excise Tax (GET) at 4% on retail (0.5% on wholesale) applies in addition to income tax
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Well above avg (+1.25 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Sparklers and novelties only; all aerial fireworks banned statewide
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required under 18 (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 78°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Scorpions
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
9.4% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Hawaii counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Hawaii
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Trending in Hawaii
‘Stay indoors’: Hawaii governor’s urgent warning as Hurricane Lowell threatens mudslides, rip currents and tornadoes - KY3
KY3 · Sep 8
Hawaii Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results - NBC News
NBC News · Sep 3
Oahu housing tour gives young locals inside look at challenges of building affordable homes - Hawaii News Now
Hawaii News Now · Sep 5
Hawaii declares state of emergency as Hurricane Lowell approaches islands - The Guardian
The Guardian · Sep 7
Hawaii’s high cost of living creates housing struggle for some teachers - Hawaii News Now
Hawaii News Now · Sep 3
What Residents Say
Welcome to Hawai'i, may we take your tax money?! : r/Oahu
Our 13% top rate now sits among the nation's highest. The cost of living in Hawaii continues to be among the highest in the country, with ......
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I have to move to hawaii eventually why not now
Unless you're making serious money local income taxes are around 5-6%. By far not the biggest expense to worry about....
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Frustrated and frightened: Is coming home a viable choice?
we currently live in VERY high cost of living area and have made it work (like one of the highest in the US) on $200k/year. Living in Hawaii was ......
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How can we save Hawaii?
Apparently there is a static cost of around $40k to $50k per year. Full-time resident have more tax breaks rather than the current meager 100k....
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Moving to Oahu
Hawaii real property taxes per dollar of assessed valuation are reasonable. I would recommend hiring an accountant to help you model costs of ......
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'Very Scary' Stack Of Bills Seek To Boost Taxes On Lots ...
Hawaiʻi Governor Pledges To Build On Tax Cuts, Homelessness, Cost Of Living (REMOVES ALL LEVELS OF TAX CUTS 2027 on)...
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Possible Move from North Dakota to Honolulu
a much higher cost of living for everything else. it's around $2k-$3k to ship your vehicle to Hawaii, Just start off with a studio apt for $1, ......
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How do people live in Hawaii?
People are staggering about the cost of living in Hawaii but living here in terms of purchasing power is the same like living outside the US ......
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Should I move back to Hawaii?
I think cost of living wise Hawai is cheaper than where I currently am. ... taxes, bridge tolls and fees; and living on an earthquake fault ......
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[OC] How much money do you need to live happy in every ...
Or like, adjusted for the highest cost of living areas only. I grew ... Questions about moving to Hawaii? You can read our Moving to ......
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Hawaii will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when Hawaii changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.