City Comparison

Honolulu vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Honolulu

Hawaii
186
Very Expensive
$720,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$71,465
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

91.8%

Stockholm is 91.8% less expensive than Honolulu overall. A household earning $75,000 in Honolulu would need approximately $39,113 in Stockholm to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
275
Honolulu
118
Stockholm
Groceries
138
Honolulu
92
Stockholm
Utilities
159
Honolulu
88
Stockholm
Transportation
114
Honolulu
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
107
Honolulu
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Honolulu has the same purchasing power as $39,113 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $143,814 in Honolulu.

Living in Honolulu vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Honolulu's housing index of 275 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $720,000 vs $445,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in Honolulu compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 138 in Honolulu and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $656/month in Honolulu vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2628/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 159 in Honolulu and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $636 in Honolulu vs $352 in Stockholm. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 107 in Honolulu and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $71,465 in Honolulu and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $38,422 and $51,546 respectively. Stockholm residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,668/month to housing in Honolulu vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Honolulu, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 157 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 91.8% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 186.
A $75,000 salary in Honolulu has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $39,113 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Honolulu's housing index is 275 with median homes at $720,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases