Hawaii
184.8
composite · rank #51
- Housing
- 302.4
- Grocery
- 136.3
- Utilities
- 183.5
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Hawaii vs California Cost of Living
California has the lower cost of living by 44.3 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
California is lower
44.3 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Hawaii is roughly $76,028 in California.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
California
140.5
composite · rank #49
- Housing
- 189.5
- Grocery
- 110.5
- Utilities
- 134.6
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Hawaii | California | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 136.3 | 110.5 | California |
| Housing | 302.4 | 189.5 | California |
| Utilities | 183.5 | 134.6 | California |
| Transportation | 149 | 142 | California |
| Health care | 113.1 | 111.1 | California |
| Misc. goods & services | 122.7 | 116 | California |
Grocery
Hawaii136.3
California110.5
Lower cost: California
Housing
Hawaii302.4
California189.5
Lower cost: California
Utilities
Hawaii183.5
California134.6
Lower cost: California
Transportation
Hawaii149
California142
Lower cost: California
Health care
Hawaii113.1
California111.1
Lower cost: California
Misc. goods & services
Hawaii122.7
California116
Lower cost: California
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in California | Needed in Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $38,014 | $65,765 |
| $75,000 | $57,021 | $98,648 |
| $100,000 | $76,028 | $131,530 |
| $150,000 | $114,042 | $197,295 |
| $250,000 | $190,070 | $328,826 |
$50,000 origin salary
In California$38,014
In Hawaii$65,765
$75,000 origin salary
In California$57,021
In Hawaii$98,648
$100,000 origin salary
In California$76,028
In Hawaii$131,530
$150,000 origin salary
In California$114,042
In Hawaii$197,295
Housing gap
Hawaii housing is 302.4; California is 189.5.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Hawaii is roughly $76,028 in California.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Hawaii vs California cost of living FAQs
California has the lower cost of living by 44.3 index points. The composite indexes are 184.8 in Hawaii and 140.5 in California (US average = 100).
About $76,028 in California would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Hawaii, based on the composite indexes.
About $131,530 in Hawaii would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in California.
Housing indexes are 302.4 in Hawaii and 189.5 in California. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
California has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.