The Hawaiian Islands’ tropical splendor draw people of all nationalities to come not only to visit but to relocate there for good. And while the beauty of Hawaii truly is incomparable with other cities, it being ranked as one of the most desirable cities to live in, people always forget to factor in the cost of living; Hawaii prices have always been a reality most people fail to consider. The majority of the staple items sold in the shops have to be transported 2,500 miles from mainland US via cargo ships and air freight thus increasing prices of commodities that are already expensive to start with.

 

Points to consider

The cost of living in Hawaii differs slightly depending on which of the islands you decide to reside in on. Honolulu and Kona, for example, are the major cities flocked by tourists so the cost of living in these areas is higher than that of the other less visited islands.

• Housing – rent in Hawaii vary all throughout its six major islands. In Oahu where there may be more job opportunities, housing is expensive whether one buys a property or rent. In smaller cities and communities, housing is still very manageable but may take two hours before reaching any of the world class beaches and the upscale city. Purchasing a property however, is more advisable than renting out. Although prices are still quite expensive, one could opt for financing to acquire a property that may increase in value and become an asset for the future. One should expect to pay high prices altogether, as Hawaii was once recognized to be third highest in the world housing market.

• Utilities (water, gas, electricity and heat) – costs of electricity is the almost the same as that of mainland, and rented homes or apartments usually include the water bill on the rent. Hawaii has only two seasons, with very little changes in temperature throughout the year. Summer is from May to October and temperatures could be averaging 29 degrees Celsius in daytime, while winter starts from December to April with temperatures ranging from 25.6 degrees Celsius in daytime. Air conditioning and water heating could be minimized or even be rendered unnecessary.

• Commodities – Hawaii is yet to attain some food self-sufficiency and the decrease on the reliance on imported materials has yet to be realized, increasing the area’s cost of living. Hawaiian foods that have to be shipped or freighted from the mainland will remain costly. Suppliers have to keep stocks in bulk and have to always keep them fit for human consumption and procedures for keeping such are expensive as well. Dock strikes and farm production fluctuations from mainland US are also contributing factors for prices of goods sold in Hawaii.

• Health care – while the Department of Health boasts of affordable, appropriate, accessible, available and assured quality of health care, it is still advisable for residents to work instead towards prevention of illnesses. Serious health issues and emergencies can only be better treated on big hospitals and they could be as far as the next island.

• Education – the University of Hawaii ranks 7th on the list of the highest tuition fees of the 75 state universities in the United States of America, where local students pay almost twice the amount of money they would on mainland universities. This contributes greatly to the island’s cost of living. Hawaii students have had to migrate to the mainland to enroll in universities that impose little, or sometimes no tuition fees. Private schools are still very much preferred than publics schools, but are expected to differ incredibly in the quality of education. Public schools greatly suffer from being underfunded and have the least number of school days in a year, compared to mainland public schools.

 

How to get around Hawaii’s cost of living

 

1. Plan carefully before you migrate. Families could go and survey the islands first for the costliest and cheapest places to relocate to, and take it from there. Consider whether it is wiser to rent or to purchase a property. Assess how much of comfort can be compromised for the price of practicality. Take into account the proximity of an area to schools, parks, hospitals and grocery stores, and the availability of public utility vehicles, so one could control and reduce petroleum costs.

 

2. Get employed right away. The only way one could keep up with the high cost of living in Hawaii is to immediately get a job. Job listings are always present in the local papers so looking for one is not at all difficult. Some areas have more job opportunities compared to others so being aware of such can boost one’s employment chances. Also, there is a large demand for skilled workers in Hawaii so electricians, plumbers, carpenters etc., have bigger chances of scoring jobs.

 

3. Make the most of Hawaii’s tropical weather. The weather is almost constant and is pleasant all throughout the year, there is no need for heating or too much air conditioning. The weather doesn’t call for a change of wardrobe every season so expenses on clothing are greatly reduced. The climate is also ideal for sustaining a small garden, so one could plant some vegetables in the backyard instead of buying them from the market, lowering your cost of living. Hawaii produce could also be a passable source of extra income, while consumption of naturally homegrown fruits and vegetables are undeniably healthy and could lessen illnesses in the family.

 

4. Change your lifestyle. If going on dinner outs, clubbing and shopping are essentials for one’s lifestyle, then living in Hawaii is going to break the wallet. One should be moderate and try to go easy with their spending. Since moving to Hawaii is like moving to a paradise where everything is naturally accessible, individuals who desire to relocate should change their city lifestyle with a simpler, country-like living. Outdoor activities such as canoeing and surfing are a lot more inexpensive than clubbing, and promote good exercise and well-being. Innovation and substitution will work wonders for the smart shopper. Learning how to prepare gourmet home cooked meals and using produce grown from the garden or purchased from local farmers, as well as keeping updated about sales in town to better save money, are good, practical measures to dodge the high costs of living in Hawaii.