Rich culture, lower state income tax, and growing job opportunities have motivated more than 56,209 people to move to Hawaii. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of $856,644, Hawaii can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Aloha State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Waianae and Honolulu offer several budget-friendly options. While Waianae offers a cost of living 12% lower than the state average, the median home price in Mountain View is $334707.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, Hawaii has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii!
4 Reasons to live in Hawaii 🏖️
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in Hawaii is ~$828K. But you can get houses between $322K and $624K in cities like Honolulu, Waianae, and Lihue.
- Tax Benefits: Hawaii provides pre-tax benefits for state employees, allowing them to contribute to eligible expenses through different plans.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare costs in cities mentioned in this blog are up to 19% lower than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $650 per month in rent.
Cheapest Places to Live in Hawaii in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | $36,832 | $117,293 | 13,517 | 3.6% | 25.4% |
| Hilo | $41,242 | $131,007 | 5,717 | 3.4% | 15.8% |
| Waianae | $38,904 | $137,298 | 42,215 | 9.7% | 23.1% |
| Honolulu | $50,410 | $148,036 | 8,961 | 3.0% | 21.8% |
| Lihue | $43,879 | $192,544 | 17,054 | 3.7% | 17.7% |
| Ewa Beach | $54,020 | $236,560 | 97,840 | 3.8% | 17.2% |
| Waipahu | $54,015 | $242,819 | 79,009 | 4.3% | 12% |
7 Cheapest Places to Live in HI
The annual population growth of 5.6% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to Hawaii. If you’re considering shifting to Hawaii, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Mountain View
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 20.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $322,712 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,800 |
| 🌷 Known For | Akatsuka Orchid Gardens |
Mountain View is an affordable place to live in Hawaii. Its median house rent ranges from $1,550 – $2,000. It also offers affordable housing which is 160.6% lower than the state average.
Mountain View offers a wonderful lifestyle in a small town with plenty of outdoor activities amidst beautiful scenery. Residents can enjoy attractions like Mauna Loa volcano, Richardson Ocean Park for water activities, and Akaka Falls for scenic hikes.
» Homes for Sale in Mountain View, HI: Find your dream home in this city.
2. Hilo
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 20.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $484,135 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,750 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Akaka Falls State Park |
Hilo is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in Hawaii with home rent ranging from $1,202 – $3,900. It also offers affordable transportation costs which are 20.4% less than the state average.
Hilo serves as the county seat for the Big Island and is a major hub for government employment, with opportunities at the Port, Airport, and Military. Hilo is ideal for water activities like swimming at Richardson Ocean Park. Residents can also explore the Hawaiian culture at the Lyman Museum.
» Homes for Sale in Hilo, HI: Browse thousands of property listings in Hilo.
3. Waianae
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 3.5%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $579,977 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $850 |
| 🏔️ Known For | Waianae Mountain Range Hikes |
With rental costs below the national average, Waianae stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Hawaii. The house rent price is between $850 – $9,500.
Waianae offers a tranquil lifestyle away from the bustling urban areas. This enables residents to embrace a more relaxed and laid-back way of life.
Additionally, numerous local Hawaiian companies provide excellent entertainment options. The Na Pua Noeau Cultural Center stands out as a hub where individuals can delve into the rich history and culture of Hawaii.
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4. Honolulu
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 3.5%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $774,869 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,785 |
| 🏭 Known For | Hormel’s Corporate Headquarters |
Honolulu is one of the best places to live in Hawaii, with a slight year-over-year median home price decline of 1.8% in December 2023. The annual expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $4,571. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly options across the country.
Honolulu offers an unforgettable experience with its stunning landscapes and myriad attractions. Residents can enjoy a stroll along Waikiki Beach or be captivated by the breathtaking vistas of Diamond Head.
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5. Lihue
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 6.7%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $816,806 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,900 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Wailua Falls |
Lihue’s average individual income is $154,800. The grocery expenses are 11.9% lower than the national average.
Lihue’s proximity to the ocean and wildlife is a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts. Residents who love activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and surfing find this aspect especially attractive.
The city boasts a robust job growth rate of 36.32%. This indicates a thriving job market, characterized by a low unemployment rate of 3.0%. This is notably lower than the US average of 4.1%.
» Homes for Sale in Lihue, HI: Browse through thousands of properties in this city.
6. Ewa Beach
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 3.5%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $833,361 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $3,500 |
| 🛳️ Known For | Ocean Joy Cruises |
The house rent in Ewa Beach is between $950 – $9,136. One can easily live in this city with an annual income of $87,200.
Ewa Beach has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a thriving neighborhood. The area now boasts new residential complexes, a modern hospital, and well-designed roads.
Moreover, the crime rate of the city is just 9, which is more than half of the national average of 22.7.
» Homes for Sale in Ewa Beach, HI: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii.
7. Waipahu
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 3.5%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $864,075 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,400 |
| 🪴 Known For | Hawaii Plantation Village |
Waipahu offers budget-friendly living with home rent ranging from $950 – $4,990. It also offers affordable groceries which are 11.8% cheaper than the state average.
Waipahu is known as a traditional plantation city. It is known as the agricultural center because of its rich plantation history.
Residents can immerse themselves in plantation life at Hawaii’s Plantation Village. The outdoor museum showcases authentic and replica homes of plantation workers who lived in the area from the mid-1800s to the 1940s.
» Homes For Sale in Waipahu, HI: Get yourself a home in Waipahu.
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Bottom Line
The cost of living in Hawaii is 65.7% above than the national average. Nevertheless, it is home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to move to Hawaii, you can find affordable housing in cities like Mountain View, Hilo, and Waipahu.
Cities like Honolulu and Lihue have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. It would help if you researched the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Hawaii’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in HI Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for these cities’ population, median household income, poverty, and unemployment rates.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in Hawaii, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, and Zillow, Best Places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest place to live in Hawaii?
The cheapest place to live in Hawaii is Mountain View. It offers affordable housing, which is 160.6% lower than the state average.
» 7 Cheapest Places to Live in Hawaii: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Hawaii.
Is Hawaii the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $831,808. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
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