Side-by-side comparison

Honolulu vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 32% more expensive than Honolulu. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,400/mo in Honolulu.

Rent in Honolulu vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Honolulu · Studio

$1,887

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $721 (38%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 1 bedroom

$2,052

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $923 (45%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 2 bedroom

$2,687

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $759 (28%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · 3 bedroom

$3,765

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $712 (19%) higher than Honolulu

Income & earnings in Honolulu vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Honolulu · Household income

$104,264

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $55,410 (53%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Individual earnings

$48,864

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $25,166 (52%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Per capita

$46,361

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $30,657 (66%) higher than Honolulu

Home values in Honolulu vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Honolulu · Average home value

$873,000

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $509,800 (58%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Annual property tax

$2,482

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $7,284 (293%) higher than Honolulu

Energy in Honolulu vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Honolulu · Monthly electricity

$215

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Honolulu · Monthly gas

$18

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Honolulu · Annual total

$2,796

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Honolulu vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Honolulu · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Honolulu and San Jose are about the same

Honolulu · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Honolulu and San Jose are about the same

Honolulu · Uninsured rate

3.4%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

San Jose is 0.6% (18%) higher than Honolulu

Taxes in Honolulu vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Honolulu · State income tax

11.0%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

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

Honolulu · State sales tax

4.0%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Honolulu · Combined sales tax

4.4%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Honolulu vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Honolulu · Average commute

27.1 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Honolulu is 0.1 min (0%) higher than San Jose

Honolulu · Drive alone

64.0%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Honolulu is 2.3% (4%) higher than San Jose

Honolulu · Public transit

5.3%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Honolulu is 2.6% (96%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Honolulu vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Honolulu · Single person

$4,400

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,423 (32%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Couple

$6,972

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $2,220 (32%) higher than Honolulu

Honolulu · Family

$10,278

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $2,152 (21%) higher than Honolulu

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Honolulu and San Jose.

Is Honolulu or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,400/mo in Honolulu, Hawaii and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 32%.

What is the rent difference between Honolulu and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Honolulu, Hawaii is $2,052/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $923 (45%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Honolulu or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Honolulu households earn approximately $104,264 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Honolulu and San Jose

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

Honolulu profile San Jose 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.