How to afford cost of living in Hawaii #1: Simple Lifestyles
Locals in Hawaii live very simple lives. People don’t own “toys” like recreational vehicles or ATVs. No one has a boat, unless they are a fisherman for a living. It’s things like this that Hawaii residents do to afford the high cost of living. People have very simple lifestyles with minimal disposable income and a flexible lifestyle. For example, instead of opting to purchase or rent jet skis, people will enjoy the beach with a body board or just as-is, no toys needed! People also reduce their consumption of “aesthetic” goods such as extravagant clothes, shoes and such. Locals have very simple outerwear and many local Hawaiian outfitters don’t feature flamboyant or flashy designs. Neutral colors are fashionable for ladies and aloha shirts are in style for men. Local homeowners also opt for very small properties and typically single story homes. People choose simple lifestyles here in the islands.

Enjoy the simple things in life, like rainbows.
Waipio’o Valley by Andy Gippetti is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. Image may have been resized or cropped from original
How to afford cost of living in Hawaii #2: Minimal Travel
Traveling to and from the islands can be expensive for a small family. Hence, locals minimize their travel off the island to afford this high cost. Plane tickets for a small family of four to get to a mainland city can cost up to $6000, and that doesn’t include the trip’s expenses itself. For example, if you want to take your family to Disneyland in southern California for a week, you’re looking at a $15000 trip after you account for food, activities, theme park tickets, airfare, etc. This can be a hefty expense for a household who already has the burden of Hawaii’s cost of living, regardless of taking annual vacations. It’s best to minimize your travel off the islands in order to afford the high cost of living. You’ll find yourself doing more “staycations” on the island and enjoying what paradise has to offer instead of traveling out of state. If you’re not a fan of traveling as it is, this may be a great lifestyle for you.

The only traveling necessary in the islands can be done in rubbah slippahs. Photo credits palihawaiiansandals.com
How to afford cost of living in Hawaii #3: Family
Having family members and relatives here can help you afford the cost of living. For example, there are many multi-family units here on the island in which families live with in-laws or grandparents on the same property. Some even opt for accessory dwellings that are meant for their in-laws to live on property with them. These connections help small families afford the high cost of living. Relatives can also offset the cost of childcare for families raising small children. This can be helpful for spouses and their keiki because day care expenses can be costly for a family of 4. AfterSchool Care programs are always an option, but those are at the family’s expense. Family is always an option to fall back on for some in difficult or stressful times. It’s comforting to have another relative nearby. Not to mention, knowing more people on the island can help in job searches or finding work. This can be especially helpful for those on the job market.

Our family in Hawaii by Wesley Fryer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image may have been resized or cropped from original
This article is rather generic and lame. It’s like much of the info is just copied from somewhere else, and stated info has not been verified (e.g all those commenters who actually verified the cost of flights). It reads like book reports I wrote in 4th and 5th grade. I’ve lived in Hilo, and visited most of the islands.
Jdr please add whatever comment and advice you have that would make this better. Your comments are incorporated as part of this article so please help make this better.
I need off the main land. I’ve always wanted to visit. But at 47yrs. I just want some relaxation. I work two jobs here. It will not hurt me to continue. John st me and my mom. I really want to move there. Just need to find witch one would financially help us not to stress. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Tons of info on this site AND we have a formal orientation program for you to try
You’ll probably have to work 3 jobs, and you’ll never have time to relax in Hawaii.
Seriously $120k? Not on the Big! Pretty certain the percentage of families making that here are single digits or close. Also, slippahs (aka “flip flops”) aren’t what you showed.
It’s not like all the locals enjoy having to do this just to survive. It’s people like the ones who are commenting here who move from the mainland buying up all the housing & jacking up the prices that have a negative effect on the locals who no longer can afford housing, going out to eat, buying “toys” as you put it…they don’t do those things out of choice. Not to mention minimum wage is only $10 while Hawaiʻi has one of the highest costs of living in the US.
I think Maui is the best place for me to be. i love it i havent left the rock since 2012 , originaly a city boy raised in the city of portland , oregon from 80’s thhrough 90’s then down to orange county for the 2000’s , a 5 hour flight out here to the islands , best move i ever made , you will add 10 years to your life just by living here on Maui . i’m sure of it. but one things is for sure and true. trust this , this is a magical place on this planet , and if you come here and the island don’t accept you, well she will let you know and my advice , just keep it moving somewhere else , cause its just not meant for you to be here , freal freal !! the hype is real!! .
that is a remarkable aspect of the islands and I agree – if you aren’t meant for this place you will get spit out!
Michael, I need 10 years added BACK to my life! I’m a Northern CA girl that moved to Portland OR in 2010 and I swear it sucked the life-force out of me (I’m a sunshine girl). I went to Kauai for a month in 2021 and the people and way of life became one. Love the pace and love the locals. (trying to figure out HOW to get back longterm without living with fam there ;) … The only negative is the ‘Kapaa crawl’ and the occasional disrespectful tourist (omg..I’ve almost had to ‘educate’ some of them).
this is a terrible page. i do all those and can barely afford Detroit.
I’m so fortunate that my husband has been working for Southwest Airlines for 23 years. We are making plans to transfer to Hawaii. Neither of us have ever been and visiting soon.
A quick check on skyscanner showed RT air from Kona to LAX for under $2,200 total for a family of four with 2 children age 15 and under.
Southwest’s recent entry to the Hawaiian market is having an effect on airfare, for sure.
I also notice most people work 2 jobs, shop strategically at Costco & Walmart, and don’t go out to eat in restaurants very much.
I think Peter rocks! Thank you for your informative and optimistic blog. I will be in Honolulu in two years and can’t wait to live in paradise!
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Sounds like people on welfare. Little chance in climbing out.
Wow we know how you feel about brown people..
.❤ no justice no peace who ever you are
Look in mirror you have red blood just like all of Gods children..Be kind be humble and LOVE ALL
JESUS DOESLOVED THE INFO Going to Honolulu for my uncle’s funeral it is going to be a military send-off from the beach December 17th sad occasion but I still can’t wait to see my family and be in Hawaii I’ve wanted this all my life since I was in high school and wrote an essay about Hawaii.Thank you keep up the great work
We are 6 years away from moving to Maui (once my daughter graduates high school). I read your blog daily and it keep our hearts and minds focused on our dream of moving. I can’t wait!
Thank you Stephanie! Hope this helps!
Plane tickets to California are not 1500 apiece. I have flown Hawaiian air to each of the four main islands from SFO and my tickets round-trip were never more than 650 a person.
Though we did see R/T airfare quoted from Hawaii to SFO at $1500 at one time, you’re right in that it’s usually much lower than that. We updated the page to more generally reflect the reality of “up to …” claim.
I live on Oahu and recently went to the mainland to visit famu. You are correct in the addition of southwest airlines and having a great effect on airfare. I paid $103.00 for my ticket to California and about the same to get back! One way tickets are the way to go!
This is the kind of lifestyle I grew up in back in Trinidad and Tobago.. I would fit right in… those suggestions fall right in my backyard…I would enjoy living in Hawaii immensely….I deep freeze I’m living in is killing me….
Deep freezing is not fun!