HONOLULU (KHON2) — Living in Hawaiʻi isn’t just a dream; it’s a commitment. The Aloha State is officially the second most expensive state in the United States, according to new 2025 rankings.
While California holds the top spot, Hawaiʻi comes close in nearly every category that makes daily life cost more.
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Groceries are one example. A dozen eggs in Honolulu averaged $3.98 in 2024. A head of lettuce cost $2.37, compared to $1.87 in Richmond, Indiana. Even eye care is more expensive. A trip to the optometrist in Honolulu can cost almost $260. While, in Valdosta, Georgia, it’s about $102.
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Housing tells a bigger story. The average home in Honolulu sells for $1.68 million. That’s higher than almost anywhere in the U.S. And people are feeling it. Nearly 37% of residents spend more than one-third of their income on housing. That’s more than any state except California.
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Utility bills in Hawaiʻi also lead the nation. The average monthly energy bill is $529.02. That’s more than double what most U.S. households pay.
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Still, there’s one area where Hawaiʻi offers a break. While insurance premiums are rising — they’re up an expected 17% this year — Hawaiʻi homeowners still pay amongst the lowest in the U.S. The average annual cost is $1,808, far below the national average.
Hawaiʻi’s overall cost of living score was nine out of 60. That gave the state a grade of F, the same as Florida, Colorado and Oregon. But here, high prices aren’t new.
You can click here to read the full rankings information.
The study relies on an index that tracks the prices of a wide variety of goods and services. It also incorporates the current year-over-year regional inflation rate provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Living in paradise has always come with a price, but many residents believe the trade off comes from the lifestyle Hawaiʻi has to offer.
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