Quick answer
Long Beach costs $390/month less overall ($2,615 vs $3,005/mo). But Honolulu's 11% (top) state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,840/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Honolulu vs Long Beach
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Honolulu vs Long Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Honolulu | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,100 | $2,650 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,850 | $2,650 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $875K | $825K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $285 | $165 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $620 | $400 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $3,005 | $2,615 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 64/100 | 76/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 57/100 | 72/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 11% (top) ✓ | 9.3% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Long Beach's 1BR averages $2,050/month vs $2,100 in Honolulu — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Honolulu charges 11% (top) state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $1,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $8,400 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Long Beach are $825K vs $875K in Honolulu. At a 20% down payment, that's a $10,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Honolulu utilities run $120 more per month than Long Beach. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Honolulu
Warm year-round (75–85°F daily highs); mild winters; consistent trade winds; November–March is slightly cooler and wetter; rare hurricanes but flash flooding in valley areas
Long Beach
Year-round mild: 60-70°F average. Rarely freezes; minimal rain (12 inches/year). Marine layer mornings (May-August) bring overcast, cool conditions until afternoon clearing.
Job Market
Honolulu top industries
Long Beach top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Honolulu if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a people who love tropical climate year-round
- →You're a outdoor / water sports enthusiasts
- →You're a anyone willing to pay premium for island life
Move to Long Beach if…
- →You're a Port/logistics workers
- →You're a People who want beach access without LA's sprawl
- →You're a Artists and creative types seeking community and affordability
- →You're a Anyone wanting California weather without SF or San Diego prices
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honolulu or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Long Beach is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,615 in Long Beach vs $3,005 in Honolulu — a $390/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Honolulu or Long Beach?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 64/100. Honolulu is more car-dependent.
Honolulu vs Long Beach: which has lower state income tax?
Honolulu has lower state income tax (11% (top)). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,840/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Honolulu or Long Beach better for buying a home?
Long Beach has lower median home prices at $825K vs $875K in Honolulu — a $50,000 difference on the median home.