Cost of living in Hawaii | How do people make it?

Depending on where you're from, the cost of living in Hawaii might shock you. Hawaii is a trophy destination, a never-in-a-lifetime or once-in-a-lifetime experience for too many. Some calculations suggest that the average Hawaii trip cost per person is roughly $1,899 a week for fun in the sun. Idyllic white sand beaches, mountainous backdrops, and the crystal blue Pacific Ocean are things of post cards and hard for some to imagine as every day lifestyles. Trust me when I say I wouldn't trade it for the world, but that doesn't mean there aren't concessions to be made.

So if you have ever wondered if moving to Hawaii is right for you and your budget, allow me to break it down from the perspective of a Missouri-born Hawaii transplant. I've run the spectrum of being born and raised in the 3rd cheapest state in the nation to starting a life, family, career, and real estate estate investment portfolio in one of the most expensive. I'll cover the dollars and cents on the topic but to close it out, I think it's responsible to shine light on the intangibles; the true costs of living in Hawaii and how it sees some local families brought together, or pulled apart like my family.

#livinginhawaii #livinginhonolulu #hawaiicostofliving #oahu

Moving to Oahu Lifestyle Guides:

Koa Cassady RS-76047
Maila Gibson-Bandmann
Coldwell Banker Realty
Hawaii Real Estate Agent

[ljrockstar]

If $93K is considered low income, why can't we apply for food stamps and get section 8? Low income means we should be able to get these benefits.

[darkpassenger]

We sold our 1200 square foot, 30 year old, 3/1.5 Aiea home for $1Mil and moved to Washington. Paid off my sons college tuition and bought brand new 2200 square foot, 4/2.5 home for $500k with a view that would cost $5 million + in Hawaii. We love it here! Hawaii can never go back to what it once was. The writing is on the wall people.

[ryanb]

Spent almost 17 years on Oahu and owned a couple small businesses. When business was good it was fine and a great place to live. After 2008 I sold my business and got a 9 to 5 job. Reality set in. On top of making less money, I moved out to the middle of the island. Trust me, sitting in traffic a couple hours a day to go twenty miles will really put a damper on your ideals of what paradise
is. I stuck it out a few years then they had the brilliant rail idea, which caused even more congestion and raised taxes. I own a house in PA now, my mortgage is a quarter of what is was in Hawaii. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it though.

[markettradinggenius]

I am from Oahu and have been living here in Virginia now for nearly 2 years !! I love Virginia and be it good or bad, I have ZERO regrets about moving from my native Oahu island in order to live a much better life and lifestyle here on the East Coast. We have plenty of Hawaiians here, along with Samoans, Micronesians, Filipinos, Tungans and even a few japanese. The diversity here is actually greater here in Virginia than it is in Hawaii !!

[davidbarker]

I grew up on Oahu, family still lives in Hawaii. Had chances to live there with six figure salaries. I chose to live like a king on the mainland and visit every few years. It makes vaca special and everyday life so much better because i dont have to worry about money

[OceanaK]

I wish she had talked about cheaper areas on neighboring islands. Pahoa and Hilo are much lower in real estate costs than Honolulu.

[ducheau]

best way to make it is to inherit a house from a grandparent that passed away. You are set!

[deedeew]

I have always wanted to vacation in Hawaii. This year I plan to visit Hawaii. No plans to move there. I just want to relax and take in the scenery.

[edrmain]

This is the most accurate video of the cost of living in Hawaii. I just moved to Hawaii, and I do not recommend it due tot the cost of living. As a born and raised New Yawka, and living in different locations around the world; I can say that I know quite a bit about high cost, but this is insane. Simple necessities are close to double. A lot of the housing areas are infested with homeless people, crime and meth-heads. $3.25-$3.85 will be your price range for gas. Car rentals are minimum $105 a day, and you will have to book it out weeks in advance. A majority of the locals are friendly, yes I agree, but I am super disappointed. So far in my experience in Hawaii, I believe the locals probably get a living discount, but if you are from the "mainland", they will try to extort/rip you off. Military, business owners, real estate, and tech professionals that earn 120k a year will be fine. To visit for a week in Waikiki, or rent a house on North Shore is cool for a 7 day holiday. I am staying optimistic that my I can see the rest of the state with different eyes, but I'm close to being sold on the idea that Hawaii is not for me.

[Trnzoid]

That gallon of milk did not used to have to get shipped, but Meadow Gold shut down.
Apparently the best way for an average income earning family to live in Hawaii is to be in the military, and stay for a few years without having to pay for housing.

[TheIrishd]

I love Hawaii and it's been my home for over 30 years, but the cost of living is now just too much and when I retire in a couple of years I'll be heading back to the mainland. I feel sorry for the new generation as there is no way they will be able to afford a home now with prices topping over a million dollars. Mortgage along with daily expenses decrease the quality of life and wages in Hawaii are pitifully low.

[andyhughes]

I lived in Waikiki for 4 years back in the late 1990's / early 2000's.

At that time, my salary was $80, 000 a year and I was single.

Yet, I felt like living very small.

I learned that it matters little where you live; if your salary in that area does not cover the lifestyle you want, it's not a paradise for you.

[michaelcrabtree]

Cost of living is high yes....two income earners are the way to go...but they better make good money. Grow your own food...support local...help from family and friends is always appreciated. You can do random things as well...cut grass for someone, babysit, house sit if they know you, make jewelry in your spare time and sell it. Be a photographer and sell your artwork. You can go fishing /spearfishing if you need food. But be willing to work hard when you decide to live in Hawaii.

[stevecheung]

The median price of a single family home on Oahu in February is $917, 000.

[oibal]

Have been to all the major Hawaiian islands. Coming from NY, the prices were comparable. The isolationism was off-putting though. Also it was like being on a large cruise ship, we kept on running into the same people!

[lovepeace]

Love this place visited from London several times people are wonderful and kind. How sad 😢

[MTB_Rider_]

After being stationed in Hawaii for 3.5 years, and vacationing there at least 10 time since I got out and moved back to the Midwest, I still want to live (retire) in Hawaii, probably on the Big Island. But it's the cost of living and the home prices today that stop me. Even if I got Max value for my home in the Midwest, I could only get a house 1/2 the size with 1/5th the yard space. And no way could I afford an ocean view. If I could magically move my house to Hawaii, it would be worth at 2.5 million - or 3.5 with a great ocean view in Kona. It's worth a small fraction of that in the Midwest - and I'm ok with that. I'll just continue vacationing in Hawaii and I plan to spend 30 to 40 days in Hawaii every winter. I found lots of great rental homes and condo's near Hilo and on the Kona side. Aloha!

[inaperfectworld]

It`s paradise if you are rich. Everything`s funny when you have a lot of money.

[drcarriemills]

Best year of my life...Maui! Worked at the farmers market $10/hr. But got free food a huge plus. Rode a scooter so gas was nothing. Only way to live on Maui is in a car but good luck parking somewhere. I cried for 2yrs when I left. I still miss it everyday. Best food (you learn where the deals are) and warm ocean.

[omardeveraux]

Loved your video and could really appreciate the information shared/given. Good things to think about as I look at a possible transition to island life. Mahalo!