Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Honolulu

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Bottom line

Honolulu is approximately 19% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,400/mo in Honolulu versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Honolulu

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Honolulu · Studio

$1,887

Honolulu is $429 (29%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Honolulu · 1 bedroom

$2,052

Honolulu is $492 (32%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Honolulu · 2 bedroom

$2,687

Honolulu is $926 (53%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Honolulu · 3 bedroom

$3,765

Honolulu is $1,503 (66%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Honolulu

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Honolulu · Household income

$104,264

Honolulu is $22,467 (27%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Honolulu · Individual earnings

$48,864

Chicago is $434 (1%) higher than Honolulu

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Honolulu · Per capita

$46,361

Chicago is $1,440 (3%) higher than Honolulu

Home values in Chicago vs Honolulu

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Honolulu · Average home value

$873,000

Honolulu is $567,800 (186%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Honolulu · Annual property tax

$2,482

Chicago is $3,571 (144%) higher than Honolulu

Energy in Chicago vs Honolulu

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Honolulu · Monthly electricity

$215

Honolulu is $99 (85%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Honolulu · Monthly gas

$18

Chicago is $43 (239%) higher than Honolulu

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Honolulu · Annual total

$2,796

Honolulu is $672 (32%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Honolulu

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Honolulu · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Honolulu are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Honolulu · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Honolulu are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Honolulu · Uninsured rate

3.4%

Chicago is 5.6% (165%) higher than Honolulu

Taxes in Chicago vs Honolulu

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Honolulu · State income tax

11.0%

Honolulu is 6.0% (122%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Honolulu · State sales tax

4.0%

Chicago is 2.3% (56%) higher than Honolulu

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Honolulu · Combined sales tax

4.4%

Chicago is 4.4% (99%) higher than Honolulu

Transportation in Chicago vs Honolulu

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Honolulu · Average commute

27.1 min

Chicago is 4.8 min (18%) higher than Honolulu

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Honolulu · Drive alone

64.0%

Honolulu is 7.8% (14%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Honolulu · Public transit

5.3%

Chicago is 7.7% (145%) higher than Honolulu

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Honolulu

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Honolulu · Single person

$4,400

Honolulu is $693 (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Honolulu · Couple

$6,972

Honolulu is $1,807 (35%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Honolulu · Family

$10,278

Honolulu is $2,467 (32%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Honolulu.

Is Chicago or Honolulu more expensive?

Honolulu is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,400/mo in Honolulu, Hawaii, a difference of about 19%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Honolulu?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,052/mo in Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu is approximately $492 (32%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Honolulu?

Honolulu has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Honolulu households earn approximately $104,264 per year.

More on Chicago and Honolulu

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Honolulu profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.