Quick answer
Pennsylvania has lower average 1BR rent ($1,540/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Pennsylvania (3.07%) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $4,716/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs Pennsylvania
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Hawaii vs Pennsylvania at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,540 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $253K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Pittsburgh ($1,280) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Philadelphia ($1,800) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | 3.07% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Pennsylvania (3.07%).
Salary $80K
$3,144
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Salary $120K
$4,716
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Salary $200K
$7,860
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
Pennsylvania (PA)
Tax reality
Pennsylvania has a 3.07% flat state income tax — among the lowest in any income-tax state. No tax on retirement income (401k withdrawals, Social Security, pensions). Property tax varies widely by local school district — Philly suburbs can be 2%+, rural counties under 1%.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are real. Pittsburgh averages 41 inches of snow per year and stays overcast from November through April. Philadelphia is milder but still has freezing temps and 18-22 inches of average snowfall.
- ✕Philadelphia has ongoing public safety concerns in specific neighborhoods — Kensington in particular has a severe open-air drug market. Center City, South Philly, West Philly, and Northern Liberties are generally fine. Knowing neighborhoods matters.
- ✕School districts in Philly proper have struggled for decades. Suburban districts (Lower Merion, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Radnor) are among the best-funded in the US but come with $900K+ home prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or Pennsylvania cheaper to live in?
Pennsylvania has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,540/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $560/mo difference. Home prices: Pennsylvania median is $253K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Pennsylvania: which has lower state income tax?
Pennsylvania has lower state income tax (3.07%) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $3,144/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $7,860/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Pennsylvania?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Pennsylvania?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Pennsylvania's largest metros include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.