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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Honolulu

Hawaii
175

San Diego is 13% more expensive than Honolulu.

$2,223/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,783/mo ↓ 20%
$104,321/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$85,428/yr ↓ 18%
$848,500 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$834,100 ↓ 2%
$2,308/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,809/mo ↓ 22%
1,385,061
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

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Honolulu, HI, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $440/month cheaper in Honolulu, saving renters about $5,280/year.

Median household income is $18,893/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $834,100 in Honolulu.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Honolulu — common questions

Is San Diego or Honolulu cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Honolulu is cheaper to live in with an index of 175 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Honolulu?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Honolulu it's $1,783/month — a difference of $440/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Honolulu?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $85,428 in Honolulu. Median household income is $18,893/year higher in San Diego.
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 San Diego or Honolulu?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 San Diego details → View Honolulu details →

More Comparisons

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