Hawaii
Snapshot
Hawaii retirement guide
Retiring in Hawaii
Hawaii gives you outdoor life all year and no tax on Social Security. It also has the highest cost of living of any state.
Could fit
You want mild weather every day, ocean and volcano views out your door, and a tax break on Social Security and many pensions. Price is not your first concern.
Look closely at
Everyday costs here are the highest in the country. Island living also means you are far from mainland family, and flights to see them cost more.
Cost of living
$5,500/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Hawaii comes out near $5,500 a month.
#49 of 50 for lowest everyday cost, using the same BEA index shown here.
Hawaii runs about 10% above the national average on everyday prices.
Cost of recreation
126
Our index of how Hawaii's estimated annual hobby costs compare with the rest of the country.
#47 of 50 for lower estimated recreation cost, using the same hobby-cost model shown here.
Hawaii's modeled hobby costs run about 26% above the national average. The modeled average is about $8,272 a year across the activity basket.
Est. Our own measure from 8 modeled hobbies. It uses published state fees where we have them, then adds recurring hobby assumptions like gear, trips, memberships, and upkeep. 100 = national average.
How the plan models Hawaii
The state lines the calculator actually changes.
Start here for the whole state picture. The quick math sits beside the things that change daily life: taxes, home costs, care costs, towns, weather, and what Hawaii actually feels like.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Hawaii income picture.
Estimate how Hawaii treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Generally taxed
Cost of living
$5,500/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Hawaii prices translate to about $5,500 a month.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesState income tax
~3.5%
Hawaii does not tax Social Security in the summary used here, but a 3.5% blended planning rate is used for taxable retirement-income context. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Hawaii, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance.
Tax FoundationSocial Security
Not taxed
Hawaii does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here.
AARP / IRS Pub. 915Property tax
0.3%
Property tax is local, but the Hawaii state-level planning rate used here is 0.3% of home value. On a $350,000 home, that is about $1,000 a year before county detail.
Tax FoundationSales tax
4.5%
Tax Foundation puts Hawaii's 2026 average combined state and local sales tax near 4.5%, ranked 45 among states in that table.
Tax FoundationVehicle costs
Registration line
Vehicle costs still belong in the budget, but the vehicle-tax source used here does not flag Hawaii as a state where value-based vehicle property tax is the main planning issue.
FreeTaxUSA vehicle-tax guideLong-term care in Hawaii
The care cliff, in Hawaii dollars.
CareScout and Genworth 2025 median costs, compared with the national median. Long-term care is a separate planning layer from ordinary Medicare costs.
Assisted living
$12,096/mo
About $145,155 a year, 95% higher than the national median.
Nursing home (semi-private)
$15,473/mo
About $185,679 a year, 61% higher than the national median.
Home caregiver
$7,817/mo
About $93,808 a year, 17% higher than the national median.
Activities & recreation in Hawaii
What there is to do, with the sources.
How the things people retire for actually look in Hawaii. Each links to the full activity guide.
Hawaii maintains several municipal golf courses with resident senior rates, including Waiahu Golf Course on Oahu where super senior residents pay as little as $12 for 18 holes, and Wailua Municipal Golf Course on Kauai with a Super Senior Resident monthly pass for $35.
Estimated annual hobby cost
24 public rounds per year, plus equipment refresh, range balls, carts, and other course extras.
Published input
City and County of Honolulu municipal golf courses (Ala Wai, Ewa Villages, Pali, Ted Makalena, West Loch): resident Golf ID card holder adult 18-hole weekday $28, weekend $32; senior (65+) with Golf ID weekday $23, weekend $32; non-cardholders pay $86 for 18 holes
honolulu.gov · as of 2023Where to go
Hawaii's tropical climate allows year-round planting across most islands, with the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension providing gardening calendars and Master Gardener programs on each island. Waimea Valley on Oahu and the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai offer botanical garden access.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Seeds, soil, tools, replacement plants, water, and a modest home or community-garden setup.
No state-published fee is attached to this activity, so the estimate uses the recurring-cost assumption only.
Where to go
Kauai County parks programs list pickleball as one of their regular senior activity offerings at county facilities. Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation runs seasonal adult and kupuna (elder) activity sessions that include racquet sports at neighborhood parks.
Estimated annual hobby cost
30 court visits per year, plus paddle replacement, balls, league fees, and small club costs.
No state-published fee is attached to this activity, so the estimate uses the recurring-cost assumption only.
Where to go
Honolulu hosts the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Bishop Museum, and the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, operated by Catholic Charities Hawaii in Honolulu, runs arts, cultural, and recreational programming Monday through Friday.
Estimated annual hobby cost
8 museum, theater, or cultural visits per year, plus a modest membership or ticket budget.
Published input
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA); Kama'aina (Hawaii resident) admission $15; adult non-resident $25; children 18 and under free; residents free on Family and Community Sundays (third Sunday each month)
honolulumuseum.org · as of 2025-2026Where to go
Hawaii County Parks and Recreation's Elderly Activities Division offers recreational and educational programs for adults 55 and older across the Big Island, including fitness, cultural activities, and social gatherings at county facilities.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Senior-center, club, class, trip, or program costs beyond any published membership fee.
Published input
Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center (Honolulu, Catholic Charities Hawaii): membership free for Hawaii residents age 60+ who live independently on Oahu; center open Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 3 pm, Sat 8:30 am - 11:30 am; 45+ classes and 8 cultural clubs
catholiccharitieshawaii.org · as of 2026Where to go
Hawaii's coastal waters and freshwater reservoirs offer diverse fishing. The Division of Aquatic Resources oversees freshwater fishing licenses and regulates sport fishing across the islands, with opportunities ranging from shore casting to freshwater bass fishing in reservoir systems.
Estimated annual hobby cost
One resident annual license, plus tackle, bait, simple access trips, and replacement gear.
Published input
Hawaii resident freshwater game fishing license (age 16+); military $5; minors 9-15 $3; seniors 65+ free; non-resident $25; ocean recreational fishing is free for Hawaii residents (no license required); non-resident ocean fishing license $70/yr
dlnr.hawaii.gov · as of 2025-2026Where to go
The Division of State Parks manages hiking trails on all main islands, from the Na Pali Coast trails on Kauai to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Oahu alone has more than 20 state park sites with trails ranging from wheelchair-accessible shoreline walks to ridge scrambles.
Estimated annual hobby cost
12 trail or park visits per year, plus footwear, basic gear, parking, and local travel.
Published input
Hawaii State Parks: entry is free for Hawaii residents at most state parks; selected parks charge $10/vehicle (non-residents) and $5/walk-in (non-residents) under 2020 fee structure; resident visitors to Diamond Head and other parks enter at no charge; parking fees may apply at specific sites
dlnr.hawaii.gov · as of 2020-2026Where to go
Hawaii's state harbors division operates public small boat harbors on each island, offering moorage and launch facilities for recreational boaters. Kayaking and paddling are also popular from many beach parks, with calm mornings on sheltered bays on most islands.
Estimated annual hobby cost
A modest owned boat, including registration, insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, and basic upkeep.
Published input
Hawaii vessel registration renewal (annual): vessels under 20 ft $20 renewal ($25 new); vessels 20 ft and longer $35 renewal ($40 new); title certificate $20 (one-time); fees per Hawaii Administrative Rule 13-241-25 (last amended 3/20/21)
dlnr.hawaii.gov · as of 2021-2026Where to go
Things to do in Hawaii
What a week can look like.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island
At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you can see live volcanic terrain, steam vents, and lava fields. Paved overlooks and a scenic drive reach parts of the park without a long hike.
Beaches and snorkeling year round
The ocean stays warm enough to swim and snorkel in every season. Calm bays on the leeward side of the islands give gentler water if you want it.
Coastal walking paths and gardens
Many island towns keep flat, paved oceanfront paths and botanical gardens that are easy to walk. The mild weather keeps these routes open most of the year.
What to know about Hawaii
What can change the month.
Highest cost of living in the country
Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in. Its cost of living index sits well above every other state. Housing, groceries, and electricity all cost more than on the mainland.
World Population ReviewSocial Security exempt, but account withdrawals taxed
Hawaii does not tax Social Security, and it exempts many employer funded pensions. But money you pull from a 401(k) or IRA is usually taxed at regular state rates. So your bill depends on where your income comes from.
Tax Foundation of HawaiiVolcanic activity and Pacific storm exposure
Parts of the Big Island sit near active volcanic zones. The islands can also face hurricanes, high surf, and tsunami warnings. Where you settle changes which of these reach you.
Retirement towns in Hawaii
Towns we have mapped in Hawaii.
Weighing two states?
Put Hawaii next to another state.
Compare cost of living, taxes, Social Security treatment, property and sales tax, and long-term-care costs side by side.
Common questions
Retiring in Hawaii, answered.
Does Hawaii tax retirement income?
Hawaii does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Hawaii, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance. Hawaii does not tax Social Security in the summary used here, but a 3.5% blended planning rate is used for taxable retirement-income context.
AARP: how states tax retirement incomeIs Hawaii cheaper or more expensive than average?
BEA regional price parities put Hawaii about 10.0% above the U.S. average cost level. That price level is the first reason a national retirement number needs a Hawaii translation.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesWhat does long-term care cost in Hawaii?
In the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, Hawaii assisted living runs about $145,155 a year (95% higher than the national median) and a semi-private nursing-home room about $185,679 a year (61% higher than the national median).
CareScout / Genworth Cost of CareWhich towns in Hawaii have a retirement guide?
Hawaii has 1 researched town guide: Honolulu. Each one breaks down local costs, services, and things to do.
Does Hawaii tax retirement income?
Hawaii does not tax Social Security and exempts many employer funded pensions. But withdrawals from a 401(k) or IRA are usually taxed at regular rates. If you live mostly on Social Security and pension income, you tend to do better here than if you draw heavily from retirement accounts.
Tax Foundation of HawaiiHow expensive is it to live in Hawaii?
Hawaii has the highest cost of living of any state. Its index sits well above the national average. Housing, groceries, and electricity drive most of that, so a budget that works on the mainland has to stretch further here.
World Population ReviewSources
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