Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Honolulu, HI?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 2.1% more expensive than Honolulu, HI. This translates to spending an extra $155 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Honolulu, HI?

If you earn $150,000 in Honolulu, HI, you'd need approximately $151,865.285 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Honolulu, HI and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 26.2% more expensive than in Honolulu, HI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,510/month in Honolulu, HI.

How much can I save per month by moving from Honolulu, HI to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $155 more per month than Honolulu, HI, or $1865 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Honolulu, HI vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Honolulu, HI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $155/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $151.9K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Urban Honolulu, HI area

Overall Cost

↑ 2.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$155

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$1.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Honolulu, HI

Population:351K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$657K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

102

(2% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Honolulu, HI

The Aloha State

351K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Hawaii, this city has a population of 351K residents.

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Honolulu, HI vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Honolulu, HI	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$7,744/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $2,027more	26.2%
Groceries	$1,669/mo	$1,159/mo	↓ $510less	30.5%
All Utilities	$923/mo	$448/mo	↓ $475less	51.5%
Transportation	$1,830/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $328more	17.9%
Other	$1,942/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $66.96less	3.4%
Healthcare	$706/mo	$706/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Housing

↑ 26.2%

Honolulu, HI

$7,744

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$2,027

Groceries

↓ 30.5%

Honolulu, HI

$1,669

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$510

less

All Utilities

↓ 51.5%

Honolulu, HI

$923

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$475

less

Transportation

↑ 17.9%

Honolulu, HI

$1,830

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$328

Other

↓ 3.4%

Honolulu, HI

$1,942

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$66.96

less

Healthcare

→ 0.0%

Honolulu, HI

$706

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,780

To$2,460

↑ $680

1 Bed

From$1,920

To$2,950

↑ $1,030

2 Bed

From$2,510

To$3,570

↑ $1,060

3 Bed

From$3,490

To$4,560

↑ $1,070

Honolulu, HIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,660–$3,020/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$14,815

Monthly in Honolulu, HI

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$1,303

Difference

Home Values

Honolulu

San Francisco

$657K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -1.4%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +13.5%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$472K - $1.77M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 90% more expensive than Honolulu

Calculate payment - Honolulu Calculate payment - San Francisco

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$83.54

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

Rate difference

Honolulu, HI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Hawaii State Tax

Effective: 7.8%

$11.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 32.4%

$48.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,446/month

$101.4K

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Honolulu, HI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:4.5%

Property Tax:0.3%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.