Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Honolulu, HI (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Honolulu

Hawaii
175

Austin is 23% cheaper than Honolulu.

$1,655/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,783/mo ↑ 8%
$91,461/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$85,428/yr ↓ 7%
$512,700 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$834,100 ↑ 63%
$1,747/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,809/mo ↑ 4%
967,862
Population
346,323

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
11.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.32%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Honolulu, HI, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $128/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $1,536/year.

Median household income is $6,033/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $834,100 in Honolulu.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Hawaii's 11.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Honolulu — common questions

Is Austin or Honolulu cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Honolulu?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Honolulu it's $1,783/month — a difference of $128/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Honolulu?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $85,428 in Honolulu. Median household income is $6,033/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Hawaii?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Hawaii has 11.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.32% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Honolulu?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Honolulu has a cost index of 175 with rent of $1,783/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Honolulu details →

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