Honolulu HI vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
35.0%
Hispanic
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 836,321 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 34.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
$141,446
Per Capita Income
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
$90,285
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Honolulu
$63,296
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
60.1%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $141,446 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $90,285 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 60.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Honolulu
$760,355
Honolulu +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $760,355 | $1,369,171 | Honolulu + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 38.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
2592
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 503 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
77.7°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
17.1 in
Honolulu +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 77.7°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 20.7 in | Honolulu + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Honolulu
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.9 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 Francisco. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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