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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Honolulu

Hawaii
175

Houston is 50% cheaper than Honolulu.

$1,313/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,783/mo ↑ 36%
$62,894/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$85,428/yr ↑ 36%
$253,400 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$834,100 ↑ 229%
$1,316/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,809/mo ↑ 37%
2,300,419
Population
346,323

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Honolulu, HI, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $470/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,640/year.

Median household income is $22,534/year higher in Honolulu. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $834,100 in Honolulu.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Honolulu — common questions

Is Houston or Honolulu cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Honolulu?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Honolulu it's $1,783/month — a difference of $470/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Honolulu?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $85,428 in Honolulu. Median household income is $22,534/year higher in Honolulu.
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 Houston or Honolulu?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Honolulu details →

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