Honolulu, Hawaii

It is not inexpensive to live on a Pacific island paradise. This is evident in Honolulu's exorbitant cost of living, which is 97.6% greater than the national average. Unlike most of the country's most costly cities, the high cost of living in Honolulu is not concentrated on housing expenditures. While rentals and mortgages are not cheap in Hawaii's capital, Honolulu residents pay more for almost everything.

Groceries cost 55% higher in this rural locale than in the average U.S. metropolis. Similarly, electricity expenses have risen by 71%. Honolulu has a high median family income and a low unemployment rate. However, unless you have one of those high-paying positions, it's one of the most challenging places in the country to make ends meet.

It all sounds fantastic, but how inexpensive is it to live there? The first thing to remember is that Honolulu is one of the most isolated large cities on the planet, thus most food and supplies must be imported, which raises the expense. Furthermore, Hawaii has the highest average monthly electricity expenditure in the country.

Cost of Living: 97.6% higher than U.S. average