Honolulu HI vs New York NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$760,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Honolulu
N/A
New York
8,516,202
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Honolulu
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Honolulu
N/A
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Honolulu
N/A
New York
36.5%
White
Honolulu
N/A
New York
35.9%
Black
Honolulu
N/A
New York
22.7%
Asian
Honolulu
N/A
New York
14.6%
Hispanic
Honolulu
N/A
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Honolulu
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 8,516,202 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Honolulu
N/A
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Honolulu
N/A
New York
$50,776
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Honolulu
$63,296
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Honolulu
N/A
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Honolulu
N/A
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Honolulu
N/A
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $79,713 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $50,776 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 41.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Honolulu
$760,355
Honolulu +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Honolulu
N/A
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $760,355 | $816,078 | Honolulu + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 32.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
2592
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 434 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
New York
25.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Honolulu
N/A
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
77.7°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
17.1 in
Honolulu +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 77.7°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 46.6 in | Honolulu + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Honolulu
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Honolulu
N/A
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 44.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Honolulu offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $760,355. On public safety, Honolulu is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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