State Comparison

Hawaii vs Washington

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

Hawaii

1 tied

of 16 metrics

Washington

Cost of Living

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

Cost of Living Index

Composite index where 100 = national average. Lower means more affordable.

HI: 193.3

WA: 110.7

Housing

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

Median Home Price

Approximate median single-family home sale price (2024 data).

HI: $830,000

WA: $560,000

Median 2BR Rent

HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.

HI: $2,025/mo

WA: $1,695/mo

Closing Costs

Typical closing costs as a percentage of home sale price.

HI: 2.50%

WA: 2.50%

Tie

Transfer Tax Rate

State/county transfer tax on real estate transactions.

HI: 0.10%

WA: 1.10%

Taxes

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

Property Tax Rate

Effective median property tax rate on owner-occupied housing.

HI: 0.28%

WA: 0.87%

Top Income Tax Rate

Top marginal state income tax rate. States with no income tax show "None."

HI: 11.00%

WA: None

Sales Tax Rate

State-level sales tax rate (excludes local add-ons).

HI: 4.00%

WA: 6.50%

Capital Gains Tax Rate

State capital gains tax rate (0% = no separate capital gains tax).

HI: 7.25%

WA: 7.00%

Income & Employment

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

Median Household Income

Annual median household income from Census Bureau ACS.

HI: $84,857

WA: $82,228

Minimum Wage

State minimum wage for non-tipped employees.

HI: $14.00/hr

WA: $16.66/hr

Max Unemployment Benefit

Maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit.

HI: $648/wk

WA: $929/wk

Business

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

LLC Filing Fee

Initial state filing fee to form an LLC.

HI: $50

WA: $180

LLC Annual Fee

Annual LLC report or franchise fee.

HI: $15

WA: $60

Insurance & Living

Metric

Hawaii

Washington

Advantage

Avg Car Insurance

Average annual full-coverage car insurance premium.

HI: $1,380/yr

WA: $1,680/yr

Avg Home Insurance

Average annual homeowners insurance premium.

HI: $1,250/yr

WA: $1,420/yr

Key Takeaways

1

Hawaii leads in 8 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
2

Housing: Median home prices are $830,000 in Hawaii vs $560,000 in Washington — a $270,000 difference.
3

Taxes: Hawaii has a 11% top income tax rate while Washington has no income tax. Property tax rates are 0.28% vs 0.87%.
4

Cost of Living: Hawaii's index is 193.3 and Washington's is 110.7 (national average = 100).

Run the Numbers

Use our free calculators with real Hawaii and Washington data to model your specific scenario.

Hawaii Property Tax Calculator Washington Property Tax Calculator Hawaii Paycheck Calculator Washington Paycheck Calculator Hawaii Cost of Living Calculator Washington Cost of Living Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hawaii or Washington more affordable?

Washington has a lower cost of living index (110.7) compared to Hawaii (193.3), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Hawaii or Washington?

Overall, Washington has a lower combined tax burden. Hawaii has a 11% top income tax, 4% sales tax, and 0.28% property tax. Washington has no income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.87% property tax.

What are housing costs in Hawaii vs Washington?

The median home price in Hawaii is $830,000 compared to $560,000 in Washington. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $2,025/month in Hawaii vs $1,695/month in Washington.

Which state is better for starting a business — Hawaii or Washington?

LLC filing costs are $50 in Hawaii vs $180 in Washington, with annual fees of $15 and $60 respectively. Hawaii's 11% top tax rate compared to Washington's tax-free status may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Hawaii to Washington?

It depends on your priorities. Hawaii wins in 8 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

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Comparing Hawaii and Washington

When deciding between living in Hawaii or Washington, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Hawaii (HI) has a median household income of $84,857 with a cost of living index of 193.3. Washington (WA) has a median household income of $82,228 with a cost of living index of 110.7.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Hawaii calculator or Washington calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.