Living in Honolulu: cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

Honolulu at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: Urban Honolulu, HI

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PriceyHigh rentExpensive homesWarm wintersBig Chinese communityGood transitHigh state income taxHealthcare hubDry & sunnySmaller metroFew tech jobsSmaller business sector

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 111 (above average)
Median rent: $2,001/mo
Median home value: $921k
Median household income: $105k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 73.6°F 23°C
July average high: 88.1°F 31°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 16.41 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 32 / 0 days/yr

NOAA station: Honolulu Intl (USW00022521), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 999k
Chinese / Taiwanese: 5.6% ~56k
Asian: 41.2%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 40.1%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 6.8%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 5.5%
Drive alone to work: 63.7%
Work from home: 7.7%
Average commute: 27 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): 11% HI
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 4.5%

✈️ Flights to China

No nonstop to mainland China from HNL — you’ll connect

💼 Compare job offers after tax →

Sources