Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii.
Over the past several years, there has been a slight decline in the population in Honolulu.
But, despite the decline of residents living here, Honolulu has a suburban vibe which may be ideal for those looking for the total opposite of a crowded city.
Honolulu is close to the water and has a lot of other things to offer its residents.
However, there are also those who may be opposed to living here.
While that’s okay, it’s always important that you first weigh the pros and cons to determine if this is indeed a great place for you.
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Pros of Living in Honolulu, HI
1. Lower than Average Poverty Rate
Compared to other cities in the United States, Honolulu has a lower-than-average poverty rate.
The average poverty rate in America is anywhere between 10 and 13%.
Only 12 percent of residents living in Honolulu are living below the poverty level.
Furthermore, the median household income in Honolulu is $92,600, which is also higher than the national average.
2. Plenty of Beautiful Beaches
It’s no secret that Hawaii is beautiful.
One of the best perks of living in Honolulu is that you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful beaches.
There are plenty of crystal clear waters and beaches awaiting you.
Whether you are looking to enjoy some water sports or just tan in the sun, you’ll be amazed at the pristine coastline here in Honolulu.
3. Warm Weather Year Round
Another perk about living in Honolulu is that you will get to enjoy warm weather all year long.
On average Honolulu sees temperatures between 68 and 87 degrees.
The driest seasons are between April and October.
The rainiest seasons are between November and March.
This means that you’ll never have to worry about the cold or snow if you choose to move here.
4. Easy Travel On & Off Island
There are several ways that you can get around Honolulu.
The most reliable mode of transportation in Honolulu is TheBus.
Most of the areas in downtown Honolulu are extremely walkable.
Additionally, there are quick and easy routes that can take you right onto King Street, Ala Moana Blvd, and Beretania Street.
If you prefer biking, The Big Pineapple is bike-friendly.
Flight times in and out of the state average anywhere between 20 and 50 minutes.
5. Thriving Economy
Honolulu attracts more than 10 million tourists each year.
Additionally, the city of Honolulu has a booming job market.
This is one of the biggest reasons why Honolulu has a low unemployment rate.
Healthcare jobs are big here in the city.
There are many companies located in Honolulu including the University of Hawaii Foundation, Altres Medical, Hawaii Pacific Health, and several others.
6. Plenty of Outdoor Activities
Due to the excellent weather, Honolulu sees throughout the year, you can spend more time enjoying your favorite outdoor adventures.
For example, you can spend the morning hiking at Diamond Head State Monument.
Or you can take a jog along the many trails in town.
They also offer other adventures such as zip-lining and tower climbing at Coral Crater Adventure Park.
7. Perfect for Surfing
Honolulu is known for surfing.
If you enjoy surfing, there’s no better place to do it than in Hawaii.
Some of the best surf spots in Honolulu are Sandy Beach and Ala Moana Bowls.
Waves here can get up to 12 feet high.
If you’re just learning how to surf, you can check out Sunset Beach.
Here you can also participate in a variety of other water sports such as paddleboarding and snorkeling.
8. Excellent Education System
Located within Honolulu is the Hawaii Department of Education.
This is an above-average public school system with over 173,178 students. 32% of students are proficient in math, and 50% are proficient in reading, according to recent test scores.
Some popular colleges located in Honolulu include the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Hawaii Pacific University.
Cons of Living in Honolulu, HI
1. Cost of Living Is High
The cost of living should always be at the top of your list when considering a new place to live.
Honolulu is very expensive to live in. In fact, it’s higher than the national average in the country.
Of course, there are some areas in the city that are more costly to live in than others.
But overall, the average cost of groceries, housing expenses, health care, and goods/services are pricey.
2. Decline in Population
Over the past five years, Honolulu has experienced a rapid decline in population.
A decline in the population may occur for various reasons. Sometimes, it isn’t concerning.
However, it’s something to be mindful of.
Some of the main reasons that people may relocate from one area to another include shortages of food, pandemics, demographic patterns, and more.
Additionally, there can be other reasons such as having less demand for services like shops, hotels, and restaurants.
3. Natural Disasters
Even though natural disasters in Honolulu occur at a lower rate compared to other areas in Hawaii, the risk is still there.
Living in Honolulu means you have to worry about earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
But, if you’ve never lived in a tropical climate and haven’t experienced hurricanes, and tropical storms, you may want to reconsider moving to Honolulu.
This is because many of the natural disasters that do occur here can be devastating and unpredictable.
4. Far From the Rest of the Country
Honolulu is isolated from the rest of the country.
This means that it can be challenging to travel to other states outside of Hawaii. Not only that, but you may find that flights are much more expensive.
Furthermore, it can cause delays in receiving products from other parts of the country.
This can present challenges for both residents and businesses.
5. High Crime Rate
The crime rate in Honolulu is higher than the national average.
Additionally, it’s much higher compared to other states.
The total crime rate here is 667 per 1,000 people.
The violent crime rate alone is 55 per 1,000 residents.
The property crime rate in Honolulu is 612 per 1,000 residents.
But despite these rates, Honolulu still has a lot to offer residents who live here.
6. Traffic Congestion
Traffic congestion is a problem throughout Hawaii, but especially in larger cities such as Honolulu.
Unfortunately, there’s just not enough space in the city.
This alone causes major problems on weekends and during rush hour in Honolulu.
As a result, you can expect longer commute times and higher stress levels considering the amount of congestion you will deal with.
Furthermore, the expenses associated with owning a car can be much higher because of gas prices and import expenses.
7. Humidity
If you enjoy the humidity and warmer temperatures, this will not present any problems for you
However, if you are unable to adjust to the humidity or feel as if it will be too much, this is something you may want to reconsider.
Unfortunately, the humidity is something Honolulu and the rest of Hawaii deal with on a daily basis, all year round. Having air conditioning is a must here.
8. A lot of Bugs
Some people don’t seem to be bothered by bugs.
However, the type of bugs that you see in Honolulu may not be ones you are used to seeing.
For example, Honolulu has massive flying cockroaches that will probably frighten you quite a bit.
The best way to keep bugs under control is to hire a pest exterminator.
This only adds to your already expensive cost of living.
However, it may be well worth it if your mind is already set on living here.
Pros and Cons of Living in Honolulu, HI – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Honolulu, HI | Cons of Living in Honolulu, HI |
|---|---|
| 1. Lower than Average Poverty Rate | 1. Cost of Living Is High |
| 2. Plenty of Beautiful Beaches | 2. Decline in Population |
| 3. Warm Weather Year Round | 3. Natural Disasters |
| 4. Easy Travel On & Off Island | 4. Far From the Rest of the Country |
| 5. Thriving Economy | 5. High Crime Rate |
| 6. Plenty of Outdoor Activities | 6. Traffic Congestion |
| 7. Perfect for Surfing | 7. Humidity |
| 8. Excellent Education System | 8. A lot of Bugs |
Honolulu Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Honolulu Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honolulu a great place to raise a family?
Honolulu provides various experiences for children and adults alike.
For children, the city is safe and very urban.
There are more than 348,000 people living in Honolulu.
The town has plenty of recreational activities, pools, tennis courts, parks, and much more to offer those who are considering raising a family here.
What are some of the safest neighborhoods in Honolulu to live in?
If safety is a priority of yours, it may be a great idea to look for safer neighborhoods in the city.
Not only do safer neighborhoods protect your family, but they keep the property value of your home safe.
Here are some of the safest neighborhoods in Honolulu:
- Ala Moana
- Aina Haina
- Kahala
- Hawaii Kai
- Manoa
How are the property taxes in Honolulu?
On average, residents in Honolulu pay $2,470 in property taxes.
This was for the fiscal year of 2023 alone.
However, this is not nearly as much when compared to other states such as New Jersey and Connecticut.
How is the culture in Honolulu?
If you’ve never made a trip to Hawaii, it’s important that you accustom yourself to their culture before you move here.
Honolulu embraces its culture.
The hula, for example, is far beyond a dance.
It’s about sharing stories of the culture in Hawaii and forming connections.
Pidgin is a special language that many residents in Honolulu speak.
It’s a combination of Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Portuguese.
And finally, the best way to support the culture in Honolulu is by supporting local businesses such as Yoga Under the Palms and Bubbly & Blue.
What are some of the best attractions in Honolulu?
The museums are some of the best attractions in the city.
You can’t beat “free admission” to the Hawaii State Art Museum.
This museum displays some of the best artwork from artists around the way.
The Honolulu Museum of Art is the largest museum in the city featuring various European, Asian, and American collections.
Finally, the Bishop Museum is a great way to unleash the history of Hawaii.
The high cost of living, decline in population, and natural disasters are important factors to consider before making the move.
Living in Honolulu is a tropical paradise with beautiful beaches, warm weather year-round and plenty of outdoor activities; however, the high cost of living, traffic congestion and risk of natural disasters can be challenging.