Firstly why Honolulu, Hawaii?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Honolulu
• State: Hawaii
• Population: 350,535 people
• Honolulu’s quick summary would be The vibrant capital on Oahu, famous for Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and its rich Polynesian culture.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 10,000 annually
• Net Migration: 10000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 3,000
• Number of Homeless people: 6,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features cultural diversity and beautiful scenery attracting tourists and residents

Perk #1: Honolulu Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 54%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Asian
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $77,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Honolulu is $96,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $19000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Honolulu’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 205 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,634
• Property Tax %: 0.35%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,300
• Rent for an average house: $3,500
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Diamond Head
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Honolulu, Waikiki, Kailua, Pearl-City, and probably could include Mililani
• Avg. Age of Homes in Honolulu: 68 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Honolulu’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Honolulu are  Tourism, Government, and Military
• Honolulu Job Scene: strong job market centered on tourism and military
• The General Tech Scene: major tech presence in tourism, telecommunications, and creative industries
• Honolulu Resident’s pay $2,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Honolulu: 4.5%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 250 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 24

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Honolulu

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $200 on average per person
• Freeway Access: The H-1 Freeway is a key route through Honolulu facilitating access
• Commute Time: 29 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening congestion on King Street
• Transportation Score: 80 out of 100 described as Excellent Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Honolulu: 370,000
• Cars registered per Person: 1.1
• No. of Car Washes: 15 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Honolulu: hidot.hawaii.gov/administration/motor-vehicles/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 75 of 100
• Local Airport: Daniel K. Inouye International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Honolulu’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Honolulu is best described as has warm dry winters with temperatures in the 70s and mild summers with temperatures in the 80s
• Winter Weather in Honolulu i’d describe as warm and sunny
• Spring Weather in Honolulu can be described as warm and pleasant
• Summer’s in Honolulu are mostly warm and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Honolulu is usually warm and pleasant
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 10 days in summer
• Days in a row in Honolulu below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 17 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality largely benefiting from coastal environment
• Honolulu Winter Air generally good air quality impacted minimally by urban emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Honolulu Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Honolulu 6
• While the number of trade schools inside Honolulus’s city limits are 2
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Honolulu Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Honolulu Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 12 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Honolulu only Doctors is about 300
• Local Hospitals here is  7
• Full-time Honolulu only Police Officers is about 3,400
• Crime Rate Index: 25/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Honolulu’s Monthly utility bill average is $200
• Honolulu’s Monthly Gym Membership: $90
• Honolulu’s Water Quality Score: 80

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Honolulu

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 20 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: bustling city with a blend of urban culture and island life
• You might enjoy theater shows at the Hawaii Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Honolulu  offers a vibrant nightlife with beach bars clubs and entertainment showcasing the local culture

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Honolulu

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a variety of local and international restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 150 scattered around Honolulu
• The Popular Sports Team is Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
• Top Level Political Climate in Honolulu can be described as diverse urban area with a progressive political landscape
• Honolulu’s Longer standing religious establishment is First United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Honolulu Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Honolulu has 250 Parks?
• Kapiolani Park is Honolulu’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Honolulu Farmers Market normally open Wednesday 4pm-7pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, hiking, and cultural sites

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Honolulu Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Honolulu can be described as fast-paced urban life with a tropical backdrop and diverse culture
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Honolulu beach days hiking local parks cultural events
• The Cities people commute to from Honolulu are Kailua 12 miles away Waipahu 21 miles away Pearl-City 13 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Honolulu or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening congestion on King Street. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Honolulu’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Diamond Head is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Honolulu are Kailua 12 miles away Waipahu 21 miles away Pearl-City 13 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 25 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Honolulu has 0 days in a row below freezing and 10 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Honolulu people have an average (positive or negative) $19000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   6,000 homeless people living in Honolulu. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse urban area with a progressive political landscape could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Honolulu.

Retiree & Senior Life in Honolulu

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can benefit from exemptions that reduce tax burden on housing expenses
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Plaza at Punchbowl
• Honolulu Senior Center offers recreational activities health resources and social programs for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Honolulu, Hawaii?

If Honolulu, Hawaii ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Honolulu, Hawaii, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!