$20 an hour is generally considered low for Hawaii, making it difficult to afford a comfortable lifestyle, especially in Honolulu, due to the extremely high cost of living. While it may allow for survival with roommates or significant budgeting, it is far below the roughly $25–$53+ hourly rate required for a single adult to live comfortably in the state.

What is a good hourly rate in Hawaii?

The living wage in Hawaii is $17.90 per hour for a single adult with no children. The living wage differs depending on the number and ages of family members. For example, the living wage for a single adult with one child is $32.73 per hour, while the living wage for a single adult with two children is $38.55 per hour.

What is considered high income in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, you can rank just above lower class if you earn an income of $63,209 annually. However, you still would not be considered upper class unless your yearly earnings went above $189,628. Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is considered to be the second most expensive city to live in within the United States.

What is considered low income in Hawaii?

Here is the reality: In Honolulu, a family of four earning $120,000 might technically be considered “Low Income” under certain state programs. The magic number that governs your life is AMI (Area Median Income).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hawaii?

A typical 2-bedroom rental in Honolulu averages around $3,000/month. Buying a $1M home with 20% down can mean a $5,500–$6,000 monthly payment including taxes and insurance—often plus HOA fees. Renting is usually cheaper month-to-month; owning shifts more of your payment into equity.

Harsh Reality of Living in Hawaii No One Tells You

How much is $100 US in Hawaii?

The states where $100 is worth the least are the District of Columbia ($84.60), Hawaii ($85.32), New York ($86.66), New Jersey ($87.64), and California ($88.57). That same money goes the furthest in Mississippi ($115.74), Arkansas ($114.16), Missouri ($113.51), Alabama (113.51), and South Dakota ($113.38).

Is 20 an hour livable for a single person?

Living expenses typically include food, housing, transportation, healthcare, taxes and child care. Here's a breakdown of the living costs in 15 states where a single person can live comfortably on about $20 an hour, working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks per year.

Is $25 an hour good in Hawaii?

The average pay range for a 25 Hr varies greatly (by as much as 10900), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience. Hawaii ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 25 Hr salaries.

What does Walmart pay in Hawaii?

How much does Walmart in Hawaii pay? Average Walmart hourly pay ranges from approximately $19.34 per hour for Executive Coach to $45.82 per hour for Low Voltage Technician. The average Walmart salary ranges from approximately $25,000 per year for Sales Associate to $128,072 per year for Licensing Manager.

What is the most common job in Hawaii?

Retail Sales Workers topped the list with 42,445 jobs in 2016, or 5.9 percent of total civilian jobs, followed by Food and Beverage Serving Workers (40,775 or 5.7 percent) and Construction Trades Workers (34,137 or 4.8 percent). Compared with the nation, four out of the top five occupations are the same.

What is the 90 day rule in Hawaii?

The 90-day rule in Hawaii refers to Honolulu's (Oʻahu) ordinance requiring most non-resort properties to have a minimum rental period of 90 consecutive days, aiming to curb typical short-term vacation rentals (like Airbnb/Vrbo) and preserve neighborhood housing, though its enforcement faced court challenges and has been modified, with the rule applying to new rentals outside designated zones or properties without grandfathered status, creating confusion but generally pushing for longer-term rentals.

What is the cheapest city to live in Hawaii?

Hilo, Island of Hawaii

Not only is this city one of the most affordable places to live in Hawaii, but it's also a great city in Hawaii to live for job opportunities, raising a family, or retiring!

What state is #1 in poverty?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national poverty rate was 12.7% in 2023, up from 12.4% in 2022. These states and territory have the highest percentages of poverty in the country: Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York and Tennessee.

What jobs are on demand in Hawaii?

Demand jobs in Hawaii

• Demand Planning SIOP Manager. ...
• Catastrophic Case Manager - HI (Full time) Must Live in Oahu, HI. ...
• Deputy Program Manager Indo-Pacific Logistics Integration Deputy. ...
• Battle Watch Captain. ...
• Lead Logistician, Indo-Pacific Logistics Integration. ...
• Certified Electrician 1 - $2500 Sign on bonus.

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