CostIndexUSA

Honolulu, HI vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableHI
Honolulu
100
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Honolulu is moderately cheaper than Pasadena — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Honolulu, you would need $90,900 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+70.4%
Honolulu
100
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+6.6%
Honolulu
100
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+9.6%
Honolulu
100
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Honolulu
100
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+58.6%
Honolulu
100
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Honolulu to see what you'd need to earn in Pasadena to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$90,900
$10,900 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.1360. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Honolulu, HI

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
100
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 70.4% higher housing costs compared to Honolulu.

Income & Job Market

Honolulu, HI

Median Household Income
$75,000
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
350,964
Top Industries
TourismMilitaryHealthcareGovernmentRetail

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Honolulu, HI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.