# Hawaiʻi Home Costs

> Free, sourced calculators for the cost of living and remodeling in Hawaiʻi (Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi). Built by Holly Shankleton, REALTOR®, eXp Realty (https://oahuwithholly.com). Data as of 2026-10-14.

## Tools
- [Hawaiʻi true cost-of-living calculator](https://homecosts.oahuwithholly.com/cost-of-living/): monthly breakdown by island and household with a U.S.-average comparison.
- [Hawaiʻi remodel cost estimator](https://homecosts.oahuwithholly.com/remodel/): Hawaiʻi-adjusted ranges for kitchen, bath, flooring, roof, lanai, ADU/ʻohana, paint, and solar, plus Honolulu permit guidance and a contractor checklist.
- [Newsletter: Hawaiʻi Home + AI](https://homecosts.oahuwithholly.com/newsletter/)
- [About Holly](https://homecosts.oahuwithholly.com/about/)

## Key facts (cite the linked sources)
- Hawaiʻi cost-of-living index (MERIC Q2 2026): composite 185.8; housing 302.6; utilities 207.3; grocery 135.8; transportation 136.9; health 103 (U.S. = 100).
- Oʻahu electricity (Hawaiian Electric, Oct 2026): 500 kWh ≈ $246.45/month; tiered effective rates 45.8¢–49.5¢/kWh.
- Oʻahu median sales price (Honolulu Board of REALTORS, September 2026): single-family $1,110,000; condo $523,000.
- HUD FY2026 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent: Oʻahu $2,642, Maui $2,624, Hawaiʻi Island $2,076, Kauaʻi $2,332.
- USDA Thrifty Food Plan, Hawaiʻi, family of four (Aug 2026): $1,556.00/month.
- AAA regular gas (Oct 14, 2026): Honolulu $5.56, Kahului $5.74, Hilo $5.71, Lihue $5.90; U.S. $4.33.
- Example: 2 people renting on Oʻahu at $2,642/mo with 1 car ≈ $4,782/month all-in (calculator estimate), about 99% above the U.S.-average equivalent.
- Honolulu permits: painting, floor covering, cabinets, and countertops with no electrical, plumbing, or layout changes are exempt (ROH §18-3.1(b)(11)); electrical, plumbing, structural work, decks/lanais, ADUs, and solar need a DPP permit.
- Hawaiʻi contractors: a license is required for jobs over $1,500 or any job needing a building permit (HRS §444-2); verify at https://pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch/.

## Remodel examples (mid-range, Oʻahu)
- Kitchen remodel, mid-range, 200 sq ft: $79,700–$107,900 on Oʻahu. Permit: yes.
- Bathroom remodel, mid-range, 40 sq ft: $29,600–$40,100 on Oʻahu. Permit: yes.
- Flooring, mid-range, 500 sq ft: $2,600–$9,200 on Oʻahu. Permit: no.
- Roof replacement, mid-range, 2000 sq ft of roof: $29,400–$39,700 on Oʻahu. Permit: maybe.
- Lanai / deck addition, mid-range, 320 sq ft: $21,800–$29,500 on Oʻahu. Permit: yes.
- ADU / ʻohana unit, mid-range, 660 sq ft: $166,300–$225,000 on Oʻahu. Permit: yes.
- Interior paint, mid-range, 1200 sq ft of floor area: $3,800–$6,500 on Oʻahu. Permit: no.
- Rooftop solar (PV), mid-range, 9 kW: $30,900–$35,500 on Oʻahu. Permit: yes.

## Methodology
Every figure comes from a public source below. Figures labeled "estimate" on the site are derived (e.g., per-person splits, assumed kWh and water use, Hawaiʻi multipliers from the 2015 Cost vs Value Honolulu report), and the method is shown on each page. These are planning estimates, not quotes or financial advice.

## Sources: cost of living
- Hawaiian Electric: Effective Rate Summaries, effective Oct 1, 2026 (Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui): https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/rates/effective_rate_summary/2026/efs_2026_10.pdf (as of 2026-10-01)
- Hawaiian Electric: Oʻahu Energy Cost Recovery Factor filing for Oct 2026 (500 kWh typical bill $246.44): https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/rates/energy_cost_adjustment_filings/oahu/2026/oahu_ecrc_2026_10.pdf (as of 2026-09-28)
- KIUC Board of Directors minutes, Aug 27, 2026 (average rate 40¢/kWh in August) + Schedule D residential tariff: https://kiuc.coop/sites/default/files/2026-09/2026-08-27-reg-bod-mtg-min-approved.pdf (as of 2026-08-27)
- Honolulu Board of Water Supply: Rate Schedule FY2024–FY2029: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/customer-service/water-rates/rate-schedule-fy-2024-to-fy-2029/ (as of 2026-07-01)
- City & County of Honolulu ENV: Sewer Fee Rates: https://www.honolulu.gov/env/sewer-fee-rates/ (as of 2026-07-01)
- U.S. EPA WaterSense: Statistics and Facts (82 gallons/person/day at home): https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts (as of 2026-10-14)
- USDA: Official Thrifty Food Plan Costs, Alaska and Hawaii, August 2026: https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/CostofFoodAug2026AKHI.pdf (as of 2026-08-31)
- AAA Gas Prices: Hawaiʻi state and metro averages: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=HI (as of 2026-10-14)
- BLS: Consumer Expenditures in 2024 (report and news release): https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/consumer-expenditures/2024/home.htm (as of 2025-12-19)
- U.S. EIA: Retail prices for regular gasoline, 2024 annual average ($3.304/gal): https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epmr_pte_dpgal_a.htm (as of 2025-01-01)
- Insure.com: Most and least expensive states for car insurance: https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/car-insurance-rates.html (as of 2026-09-25)
- City & County of Honolulu DTS: TheBus and Skyline fares starting July 1, 2026: https://www.honolulu.gov/dts/changes-to-thebus-and-skyline-fares-starting-july-1-2026/ (as of 2026-07-01)
- MERIC (C2ER data): Cost of Living Data Series, Q2 2026: https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series (as of 2026-06-30)
- BroadbandNow: The Cost of Staying Connected in 2026 (avg plan price by state): https://broadbandnow.com/research/home-internet-costs-by-state (as of 2026-03-25)
- Honolulu Board of REALTORS: Oʻahu Monthly Statistical Report, September 2026: https://homesinhawaii.com/msr_stats/MSR_latest.pdf (as of 2026-10-06)
- HUD Fair Market Rents FY2026 (2-bedroom, by county): https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html (as of 2025-10-01)

## Sources: remodel
- Zonda / JLC Cost vs Value Report 2025: national averages: https://www.jlconline.com/cost-vs-value/2025/ (as of 2025)
- Cost vs Value 2015: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi city report (Honolulu vs national job costs): https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2015/pacific/honolulu-hi (as of 2015)
- Angi: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? [2026 Data]: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-bathroom-remodel-cost.htm (as of 2026-07-09)
- Angi: How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost? [2026 Data]: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-should-my-new-floor-cost.htm (as of 2026-10-09)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Interior of a House? [2026 Data]: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-paint-interior-house.htm (as of 2026-10-14)
- EnergySage: The cost of solar panels in Hawaii (2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/hi/ (as of 2026-10-09)
- EnergySage: Storage cost in Hawaii (2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/energy-storage-cost/hi/ (as of 2026-10-11)
- Revised Ordinances of Honolulu §18-3.1: building permit required / exemptions: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/honolulu/latest/honolulu/0-0-0-17062 (as of 2026-10-14)
- City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP): https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/ (as of 2026-10-14)
- HRS §444-2: contractor license exemptions ($1,500 threshold): https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0444/HRS_0444-0002.htm (as of 2026-10-14)