Is Honolulu, HI cheaper or more expensive than Los Angeles, CA?

Honolulu, HI (RPP 112.9) is cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (RPP 113.1) by about 0.2%.

What salary do I need in Honolulu, HI if I earn $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?

You would need approximately $99,823 in Honolulu, HI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA. Formula: $100,000 x (112.9 / 113.1).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Los Angeles, CA or Honolulu, HI?

For 2021-2022, Los Angeles, CA had a net loss of 147,289 people, while Honolulu, HI had a net loss of 8,970 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Los Angeles, CA vs Honolulu, HI: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Honolulu, HI. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Los Angeles, CA

Overall RPP (US=100): 113.1
Housing RPP: 177
Goods RPP: 106.3
2-BR median rent: $2,544/mo

California income tax 1%-13.3%. No city income tax.

Honolulu, HI

Overall RPP (US=100): 112.9
Housing RPP: 148.4
Goods RPP: 111.8
2-BR median rent: $2,252/mo

Hawaii income tax 1.4%-11.0%. Highest goods prices outside mainland due to shipping.

Equivalent salary

Honolulu, HI is cheaper than Los Angeles, CA by about 0.2% (RPP 113.1 to 112.9).

$60,000 in Los Angeles, CA

-> $59,894

in Honolulu, HI

$100,000 in Los Angeles, CA

-> $99,823

in Honolulu, HI

$150,000 in Los Angeles, CA

-> $149,735

in Honolulu, HI

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Los Angeles, CA vs Honolulu, HI

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Los Angeles, CA

Net people: −147,289
Net rank: #64 of 65
Top origin share: 9%
Top destination share: 11%

Largest source: San Bernardino County, CA. Largest destination: San Bernardino County, CA.

Honolulu, HI

Net people: −8,970
Net rank: #46 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 5%

Largest source: San Diego County, CA. Largest destination: Clark County, NV.

Rent delta: Honolulu, HI is $292/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Los Angeles, CA. Housing RPP moves from 177 to 148.4.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Honolulu, HI cheaper or more expensive than Los Angeles, CA?: Honolulu, HI (RPP 112.9) is cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (RPP 113.1) by about 0.2%.
What salary do I need in Honolulu, HI if I earn $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?: You would need approximately $99,823 in Honolulu, HI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA. Formula: $100,000 x (112.9 / 113.1).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Los Angeles, CA or Honolulu, HI?: For 2021-2022, Los Angeles, CA had a net loss of 147,289 people, while Honolulu, HI had a net loss of 8,970 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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