Reasons Not to Move to Hawaii: What Nobody Tells You
If you’re searching for reasons not to move to Hawaii, you’ve landed on a post that is written by someone who has moved there and moved away. To give you a quick preview of what’s to come, Hawaii’s cost of living runs nearly double the national average. The state has a cost-of-living index of 185 which is the highest of any US state.
Approximately 50,000 people move to Hawaii every year and roughly 60,000 leave each year. Those who end up leaving are doing so within 18 months. The purpose of this post is to help readers make more informed decisions about moving to Hawaii.
I will cover honest financial, logistical, and lifestyle reasons that may catch newcomers off guard as well as sharing my personal experience in some of these areas.
Also read: Signs It’s Time to Leave Hawaii
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The primary reasons not to move to Hawaii are the extremely high cost of living, a limited job market with low wages relative to costs, geographic isolation from family, and a housing market where the median home price on Oahu is $1.28 million.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii’s cost of living index sits at 185 in 2026. It is nearly double the national average of 100
- Median single-family home price on Oahu is $1,285,000; average one-bedroom rent in Honolulu runs $2,262/month
- The average salary in Hawaii is around $55,000
- Hawaii sits 2,500 miles from the nearest continent, with round-trip flights starting around $500 and taking five-plus hours each way
- Starting a business in Hawaii is notoriously difficult, and Hawaii’s public school system also ranks near the bottom compared to other states
The Cost of Living Is No Exaggeration
The cost of living index for Hawaii is 185 in 2026. That is nearly double the national average. To give you a break down on the specifics, electricity runs around 39.89 cents per kWh (more than double the national average), gas averages $4.89 a gallon statewide, and groceries run 30% above mainland prices.
Grocery prices in Hawaii are so high that when we relocated back to the continent, we had reverse sticker shock. For example, a gallon of milk in Hawaii can cost $8. I’ve seen green bell peppers sell for $7.99 a lb and roma tomatoes sell for $3.99 a lb.
In terms of yearly income, a person would need to make at least $150,000 a year in Hawaii to have the equivalent purchasing power of $75,000 a year on the continent.
Comparison Table — Hawaii vs. National Average Costs
| Cost Category | Hawaii | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 185 | 100 |
| Gallon of Milk | $8.00 | ~$4.00 |
| Electricity (per kWh) | 39.89¢ | ~17–18¢ |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4.98 | ~$3.30 |
| Median 1BR Rent (Honolulu) | $2,262/mo | ~$1,400/mo |
| Median Home Price (Oahu) | $1,285,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Household Income (Real Purchasing Power) | $85,000 (≈ $45,000 mainland equivalent) | $85,000 |
The Job Market Is Small and Wages Don’t Keep Pace
The average salary in Hawaii is around $55,000 a year which is barely enough to get by and is the big reason why so many residents live with roommates. It is also not uncommon for people to work two jobs just to make ends meet.
Remote work has made it financially possible for many people to make the move to Hawaii since local wages alone isn’t enough to cover the cost gap. As for our situation when we moved to Hawaii four years ago, I had a remote job and my wife was fortunate to have a career field that is actually in demand in Hawaii.
Housing Is Genuinely Out of Reach for Most
Rent is high in Hawaii (particularly Oahu) and if you’re thinking about buying a home, you may want to think twice. A single-family home on Oahu is around $1,285,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Honolulu runs about $2,262 a month.
If you want to get a clearer picture of how much homes and condos are on Oahu, search for real estate videos on YouTube on the island. Many real estate agents have channels dedicated to living in different areas and often do walkthroughs of various properties.
I watched a video about new builds for what I consider to be townhomes priced at around $900,000. Condominiums may be priced slightly lower depending on the area but you have to take into account HOA fees and maintenance fees. The average HOA fee for many condos are $1,000 or more per month.
The apartment complex we lived in was a mix of renters and owners. The owners paid HOA fees and the complex itself was built in the 50s. There were a lot of plumbing and electric issues on top of maintenance issues such as the roof and pool area. Right before we moved, one of the new owners put in a complaint about a rat in her condo. These are things to be aware of as many of the buildings on Oahu are old.
If you are thinking about buying a home in Hawaii, you’ll likely need to make $150,000 a year to match the buying power of $75,000 a year on the continent. That makes home ownership mathematically difficult for most incomes.
You’re 2,500 Miles From Everyone and Everything
The distance from our families was a primary reason for us moving back to the mainland. Hawaii sits 2,500 miles from the nearest continent. That means there are no day trips you can take, no weekend drives to visit family, and no popping over for a wedding or other significant event without advanced planning.
We missed a lot of holidays and big events that only one of us could attend or we couldn’t attend at all. That’s because a round-trip flight to the mainland starts around $500 (if you can find a deal) and takes about 5+ hours each direction.
After a couple of years living in Hawaii, the emotional strain was affecting us. We missed our families and needing to be close to them again was more important than trying to maintain a life on the island.
Starting a Business or Advancing a Career Is Harder Than Expected
I have heard more than once that Hawaii is not a business-friendly state. During our time on Oahu, we witnessed many businesses start and end. Hawaii often ranks near the bottom nationally in terms of business friendliness because of heavy regulations and high costs.
It is more difficult to build a customer base and vendor network with a small, isolated market. This also applies to career advancement and not just entrepreneurship. There are fewer senior-level opportunities in many fields due to limited industries.
Hawaii’s Public Schools Rank Low Nationally
Hawaii’s public school system often ranks near the bottom compared to other states. This pushes many parents to enroll their children into private schools. Private school tuition will add to the already high cost of living as it runs about $20,000 a year per student. This is something to consider if you have kids or plan on having kids.
Retirement in Hawaii Comes With Its Own Financial Traps
Retiring in Hawaii is not feasible for many. According to a report by Aloha United Way, about 44% of Hawaii households don’t earn enough to afford essentials. The rental prices in Hawaii average about $3,000 a month. That is over $1,000 more than the national average. This hits fixed-income retirees really hard.
The Honest Trade-Off: Is It Still Worth It for Some People?
It is absolutely worth it for some people to move to Hawaii. The key is to plan realistically, budget for higher costs, and choose a location based on livability versus fantasy. Living in Hawaii can be highly romanticized. It is much different living there in comparison to visiting as a tourist.
As a newcomer, it is ideal to treat your first year of living in Hawaii as an adjustment period instead of assuming immediate paradise. We moved to Oahu because it was a dream of ours to live there together.
We knew groceries and the general cost of living would be higher so we were mentally prepared for that. However, after a few years, the high cost of living began to wear on us. Consider the things mentioned in this post and be realistic about what life would be like.
Check out: Shipping Household Goods To or From Hawaii Without Overpaying
Frequently Asked Questions
The main reasons for not moving to Hawaii include the high cost of living, limited job market and low wages relative to costs, expensive and scarce housing, and geographic isolation from family.
Making around $150,000 a year will match the purchasing power of $75,000 a year on the mainland.
Yes. The cost of living index is 185 in 2026. That is nearly double the national average of 100.
It is estimated that around 60,000 people leave Hawaii every year and 50,000 people arrive. Those who do leave tend to do so within 18 months.
The job market is smaller and more limited than most mainland cities. Average wages don’t keep pace with the cost of living.
There are real financial risks including high rent, rising long-term care costs, and a significant share of households already struggling to afford essentials.
Final Thoughts
One thing not on this list that we experienced was noise pollution. This isn’t for the entire island of Oahu, but where we lived, it was very noisy. For one thing, we lived across the street from a fire department (there was no way around the sirens). We also had tons of sirens up and down the street from ambulances and police.
There was also a lot of noise from mopeds. Many moped riders adjusted their mopeds to be really loud when revving the engines. Since we lived in-town, the noise from mopeds, motorcycles, and cars was too much for us.
Overall, we had many positive experiences with living on the island. However, missing our families and the high cost of groceries and rent were also factors for us relocating back to the continent.
Moving to or from Hawaii?
Get the complete, no-fluff guide with real numbers, timelines, and checklists covering both directions of the move. Written from firsthand experience, not recycled internet advice. Grab it today for just $10.
Get The Hawaii Move Guide
