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Retirement community in Honolulu, Hawaii

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Honolulu, Hawaii Retirement Guide

36

Retirement Score

Honolulu, Hawaii at a Glance

Median Home Price
$818,700
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.
Avg January Low
67.6°F
Cost of Living Index
197 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
36 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Honolulu, Hawaii, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
197 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated September 2026
Median Household Income
$82,772High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Honolulu's cost of living is 97% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$818,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,677High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
48.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Honolulu using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,774

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,992

Median home price used: $818,700

Median rent reference: $1,677 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Honolulu, Hawaii after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
23.6 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
23.6 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
78 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Honolulu scores 23.6 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Honolulu

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Honolulu

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Hawaii has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
83.9°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
67.6°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
17.3"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
352 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 352 sunny days a year and an average January low of 67.6°F, Honolulu offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
74.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
28.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
348,547High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
42.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
21.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
6.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
39.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
17.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
1.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
7.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
52.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Honolulu

What is the cost of living in Honolulu, Hawaii for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 197, roughly 97% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $818,700.

Does Hawaii tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Hawaii residents: State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.

What is the climate like in Honolulu, Hawaii?

Honolulu, Hawaii has January average low around 68°F, July average high around 84°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Honolulu, Hawaii?

Honolulu scores 24/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

BISHOP STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

BISHOP STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

ROBERT PRISKE, LLC

Financial Advisor

CADINHA & CO LLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

Interested in Honolulu? Talk to a Local Expert.

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