Side-by-side comparison

Honolulu vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Honolulu, Hawaii and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 3% more expensive than Honolulu. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $4,400/mo in Honolulu.

Rent in Honolulu vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Honolulu · Studio

$1,887

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $258 (14%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 1 bedroom

$2,052

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $276 (13%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 2 bedroom

$2,687

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $194 (7%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 3 bedroom

$3,765

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $87 (2%) higher than Honolulu

Income & earnings in Honolulu vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Honolulu · Household income

$104,264

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Honolulu is $1,979 (2%) higher than San Diego

Honolulu · Individual earnings

$48,864

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $688 (1%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Per capita

$46,361

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $3,530 (8%) higher than Honolulu

Home values in Honolulu vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Honolulu · Average home value

$873,000

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

Honolulu is $81,400 (10%) higher than San Diego

Honolulu · Annual property tax

$2,482

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $3,060 (123%) higher than Honolulu

Energy in Honolulu vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Honolulu · Monthly electricity

$215

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Honolulu is $48 (29%) higher than San Diego

Honolulu · Monthly gas

$18

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $32 (178%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Annual total

$2,796

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Honolulu is $192 (7%) higher than San Diego

Healthcare in Honolulu vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Honolulu · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Honolulu and San Diego are about the same

Honolulu · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Honolulu and San Diego are about the same

Honolulu · Uninsured rate

3.4%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Diego is 3.4% (100%) higher than Honolulu

Taxes in Honolulu vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Honolulu · State income tax

11.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 2.3% (21%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · State sales tax

4.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 3.3% (81%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Combined sales tax

4.4%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 4.4% (99%) higher than Honolulu

Transportation in Honolulu vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Honolulu · Average commute

27.1 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Honolulu is 1.2 min (5%) higher than San Diego

Honolulu · Drive alone

64.0%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 3.6% (6%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Public transit

5.3%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Honolulu is 3.1% (141%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Honolulu vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Honolulu · Single person

$4,400

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $111 (3%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Couple

$6,972

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

Honolulu is $31 (0%) higher than San Diego

Honolulu · Family

$10,278

San Diego · Family

$10,119

Honolulu is $159 (2%) higher than San Diego

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Honolulu and San Diego.

Is Honolulu or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,400/mo in Honolulu, Hawaii and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Honolulu and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Honolulu, Hawaii is $2,052/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $276 (13%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Honolulu or San Diego?

Honolulu has the higher average household income. Honolulu households earn approximately $104,264 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Honolulu and San Diego

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

Honolulu profile San Diego 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.