CostIndexUSA

Honolulu, HI vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableHI
Honolulu
100
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Honolulu is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 11.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Honolulu, you would need $88,900 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+51.3%
Honolulu
100
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+4.0%
Honolulu
100
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+12.2%
Honolulu
100
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Honolulu
100
Seattle
101.5
Utilities7.2%
Honolulu
100
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Honolulu to see what you'd need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$88,900
$8,900 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.1110. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Honolulu, HI

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
100
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 51.3% higher housing costs compared to Honolulu.

Income & Job Market

Honolulu, HI

Median Household Income
$75,000
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
350,964
Top Industries
TourismMilitaryHealthcareGovernmentRetail

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Honolulu, HI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.