Honolulu HI vs San Diego CA — 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
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
1,385,061
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
24.8%
White
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 1,385,061 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 24.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 50.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Honolulu
$63,296
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $104,321 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $54,678 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 49.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Honolulu
$760,355
Honolulu +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $760,355 | $1,006,261 | Honolulu + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
2592
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 503 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
77.7°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
17.1 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 77.7°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Honolulu
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Honolulu
N/A
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.9 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 503 in San Diego. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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