Honolulu, HI vs San Francisco, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, San Francisco, CA is 4.2% more expensive than Honolulu, HI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Honolulu works out to about $78,100 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 43.7% more in San Francisco. Goods are 2.8% lower and other services 3.2% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $3,015 in Honolulu, $5,160 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $856,000 in Honolulu.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 5.8% more expensive than Honolulu.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 43.7% higher in San Francisco than in Honolulu
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
All items Honolulu, HI: 111.0 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Honolulu, HI: 111.6 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Honolulu, HI: 135.5 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Honolulu, HI: 187.3 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Honolulu, HI: 102.9 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.0 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 111.6 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.5 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 187.3 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 102.9 | 106.2 |
| Category | Honolulu | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Honolulu |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.0 | 115.6 | +4.2% |
| Goods | 111.6 | 108.5 | −2.8% |
| Housing (rents) | 135.5 | 194.7 | +43.7% |
| Utilities | 187.3 | 172.6 | −7.8% |
| Other services | 102.9 | 106.2 | +3.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,015 | $3,445 | +14.3% |
| Typical home value | $856,000 | $1,120,000 | +30.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Honolulu | $75,000 | $78,100 | +4.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Honolulu and San Francisco has narrowed since 2008: 7.2 points then, 4.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 111.9 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 117.6 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 112.4 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 113.1 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 112.4 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 115.7 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 114.6 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 114.0 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 113.4 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 113.6 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 112.8 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 113.2 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 115.7 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 114.1 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 113.1 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 111.4 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 111.0 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.4 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 112.3 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 112.3 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 112.8 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 109.8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 114.8 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 114.2 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 113.6 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 115.7 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 117.6 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 116.6 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 115.3 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 112.4 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 110.1 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 112.0 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 110.3 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 111.6 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 166.3 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 175.2 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 160.8 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 162.0 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 165.4 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 171.5 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 173.0 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 176.5 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 158.3 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 174.1 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 162.3 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 158.0 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 159.0 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 155.3 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 148.6 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 143.4 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 135.5 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 266.0 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 219.0 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 161.1 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 222.2 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 218.6 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 225.5 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 206.8 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 186.6 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 171.0 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 175.7 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 191.1 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 200.7 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 187.1 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 178.0 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 191.8 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 190.3 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 187.3 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 104.9 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 99.6 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 99.5 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 99.7 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 99.5 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 100.0 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 97.6 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 100.2 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 104.4 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 102.8 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 102.9 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $3,015 in Honolulu
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $2,001 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,031 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $2,046 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $2,060 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,054 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,079 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,069 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,060 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,098 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,116 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,114 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,125 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,134 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,152 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,158 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,159 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,188 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,196 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,222 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,216 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,227 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,204 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,211 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,233 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,287 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,361 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,453 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,464 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,516 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,540 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,566 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,562 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,608 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,635 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,650 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,654 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,700 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,738 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,763 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,792 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,808 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,872 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,897 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,915 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,947 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,015 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,015 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $856,000 in Honolulu
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Honolulu, HI
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $547K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $550K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $560K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $568K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $577K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $583K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $594K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $606K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $615K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $623K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $630K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $640K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $648K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $656K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $661K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $661K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $660K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $662K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $660K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $660K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $665K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $666K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $670K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $689K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $710K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $745K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $765K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $785K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $845K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $881K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $870K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $856K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $838K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $845K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $848K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $845K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $845K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $851K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $849K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $852K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $848K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $838K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $834K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $843K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $848K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $846K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $856K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Honolulu, HI
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Honolulu
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.