Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
20% cheaper
Boulder is 20% more affordable than Honolulu. A $75,000 salary in Honolulu is equivalent to $59,677 in Boulder.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Hawaii salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Honolulu sits at 275 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $720,000 in Honolulu, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $2,400 in Honolulu.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boulder scores 107 while Honolulu scores 138.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are lower than Honolulu (107). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $71,465 in Honolulu. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boulder.
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