For many years, high housing costs have been one of several factors pushing Native Hawaiians and lifelong locals out of their homes.
It should also be a concern for anyone looking to move to Hawaii.
According to data collected by Zillow, the average rent in Hawaii is over $3,000 a month, 52% higher than the national average. Because of this, many locals opt to live with family in multigenerational households to help offset this cost.
Tragically, the devastating Lahaina fire in August 2023 further exacerbated this housing crisis, displacing thousands of Maui residents who lost their homes — including me and my parents.
This tragedy has left many of us competing for scarce rental options, driving prices even higher and prompting some to make the difficult choice to leave the islands altogether.
Housing expenses aren’t the only factor putting financial strain on Hawaii residents. According to a recent analysis by World Population Review, Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the US at nearly double the national average.
In order to afford the astronomically high prices of rent on top of other necessary expenses like groceries, utilities, and gas, many residents have to work multiple jobs.
To generate my income, I own two businesses as a freelance writer and tarot reader. I’ve also taken on various side hustles, including work as a social-media content creator, food delivery driver, retail sales clerk, and restaurant worker.
Even with a significant amount of savings, it’s crucial to have a job lined up before moving to Hawaii, as a steady income is imperative to survive.
Moving is always an expensive endeavor, with costs for packing materials, movers, renting a U-Haul, and potentially using a storage unit. Plus, there’s so much time and energy involved.
However, relocating to Hawaii adds significant expenses due to the logistics of crossing an ocean.
These costs include flights to the islands, which may be needed multiple times depending on your situation, and shipping fees.
Shipping a vehicle alone can cost $1,500 or more (depending on distance and size), and transporting other possessions by sea or air can also quickly add up.
Though living in Hawaii without a car is possible, it can be inconvenient, especially if you’re not in a central area.
The main islands have bus systems, but they are often unreliable. Rideshare services are mostly practical on Oahu, but they can be outrageously expensive or even unavailable on other islands.
Commuting on a bike, skateboard, or other types of personal transportation may work for short distances, but the islands are bigger than many people realize, so it can’t get you everywhere.
If you’re planning to ship a car from the mainland or purchase one after arriving, it’s important to budget for these significant expenses.
Both options are costly, and buying a vehicle locally often means limited availability and higher prices.
You won’t be able to spontaneously hop on a plane with your pet and start a new island life together.
Hawaii is the only rabies-free state, so extra precautions must be taken when new animals are brought to the islands. The process is neither short nor simple.
The first step is to determine if your animal is even allowed into the state. Dogs, cats, and rabbits are generally permitted, along with some species of birds and fish. However, many animals are prohibited, including snakes, hermit crabs, hamsters, and ferrets.
Owners must then ensure their pets meet strict requirements and that they have all of the documentation around blood tests, rabies vaccinations, microchips, and more.
This entire process can take months and costs hundreds of dollars.
One of the biggest concerns of locals in Hawaii is food security.
With about 90% of the state’s food supply imported from the mainland, some estimate that Hawaii residents would only have up to one week’s worth of food if shipments stopped.
As most of our goods are imported, local grocery prices are also infamously high.
Depending on your shopping list, it can sometimes be cheaper to dine out than to cook at home. However, dining options outside Honolulu can be limited, and menus can quickly become repetitive.
Some locals address these issues by hunting invasive game like deer and boar, or growing their own food like mangoes, papayas, bananas, and avocados. And, of course, many share the wealth with their neighbors.
I’ve often heard of people’s plans to move to Hawaii and sleep on the beach, live in a campervan, or reside on a houseboat.
Though these alternative living situations may seem adventurous and cost-effective, they often come with significant challenges.
Sleeping on the beach requires a special permit, which not all beaches offer. Car camping is not allowed outside designated campgrounds, and it can be difficult to find safe and consistent places to park a campervan.
For houseboats, moorings and slips are limited, and some harbors prohibit sleeping on boats entirely.
That’s not to say these living situations are impossible — for example, I have a friend who successfully lived on a sailboat off the coast of Maui — but they require careful planning and navigating complex logistics.
Each of Hawaii’s eight major islands is unique, and it’s imperative to research them all when deciding which one may be the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island, is more laid-back compared to the others. It has a few areas with lower costs of living, like the city of Hilo, which is considered one of the cheapest places to live in the state.
Its active lava flows are both stunning and dangerous, as they can threaten homes in their path, while volcanoes produce vog that causes poor air quality even on neighboring islands.
Maui is known for its beauty and popularity as a vacation destination, but this creates challenges for locals. The prevalence of short-term rentals makes long-term housing difficult to secure.
Lanai and Molokai are smaller islands in Maui County, making them far less populated and more isolated. Residents often rely on ferries or flights to Maui for shopping and other personal needs.
Lanai has a resort-driven economy, whereas Molokai is more traditional and community-focused with strong ties to Hawaiian culture.
Oahu is the most populated island and home to Honolulu, the state capital. It has a vibrant city vibe with abundant activities and business opportunities, but it also has some of the highest housing costs in Hawaii.
Many residents live in apartments or high-density neighborhoods, and traffic congestion is a common problem.
Kauai, also known as the Garden Isle, is renowned for its lush landscapes and rural charm — but it’s also got especially high living costs.
Nicknamed the “Forbidden Island,” Niihau has been privately owned for over a century, with a small population of residents who have been invited to live there and follow strict rules. It’s not a place you simply visit for a daycation.
Living in Hawaii means adapting to the effects of the environment on your possessions, especially if you’re moving from a different climate.
For example, coastal areas expose items to salt air, which can cause certain things to rust or experience sun damage more quickly. In some of the islands’ wetter climates, moisture can lead to mold and mildew, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
So, before you move, look into how your things could be impacted by the elements so you can take care of them and prevent damage with protective measures and regular maintenance.