Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Honolulu, HI (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Honolulu

Hawaii
175

Sacramento is 25% cheaper than Honolulu.

$1,694/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,783/mo ↑ 5%
$83,753/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$85,428/yr ↑ 2%
$484,600 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$834,100 ↑ 72%
$1,752/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,809/mo ↑ 3%
524,802
Population
346,323

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
11.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.32%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Honolulu, HI, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $89/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $1,068/year.

Median household income is $1,675/year higher in Honolulu. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $834,100 in Honolulu.

Hawaii has a lower income tax rate, making Honolulu slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Honolulu — common questions

Is Sacramento or Honolulu cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Honolulu?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Honolulu it's $1,783/month — a difference of $89/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Honolulu?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $85,428 in Honolulu. Median household income is $1,675/year higher in Honolulu.
How do taxes compare between California and Hawaii?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Hawaii has 11.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.32% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Honolulu?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Honolulu details →

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