Which Hawaiian island is more affordable? (2023)

Which island is cheapest to visit in Hawaii?

Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $2,625. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in nearly $1,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $3,600. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.

What's the most affordable Hawaiian island to live on? The Big Island. With Hawaii's lowest average cost of living (according to MIT's Living Wage project), lowest fair market rents, and lowest typical yearly expenses, the Big Island can be the most economical island in Hawaii.

The Big Island is the third most visited in Hawaii and offers accommodation for all budgets. It tends to be cheaper than Maui and it has two very different sides: Kona (west side) and Hilo (east side). What is this? In Kona there are many resorts and hotels with prices usually a bit higher than in Hilo.

Oahu is the most popular island for first timers as it's home to famous sights like Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and Waikiki Beach. I'd recommend Maui equally, however, with its golden beaches and upscale resorts. Maui is probably what you're dreaming of when you think about Hawaii.

The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.

Maui vs Oahu: Oahu is right for you if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you're looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.

Generally, the lowest housing costs are on the Big Island, which is considered the cheapest Hawaiian island to live on. However, the median household income is $52,000.

Among the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is known as the Friendly Isle, and those who live there would consider it the best island to live on by far.

Island hopping in Hawaii is absolutely worth it. The islands are all incredibly different and it's easy to get from island to island. But it's important to know that island hopping can be time-consuming so you want to make sure your trip is long enough for these extra travel days.

Why is Maui more popular than Big Island?

Beaches: Maui

There's no contest here. Maui's shores have some of the best beaches in the entire state, and the Big Island's young, rocky, volcanic shores offer very little in the way of soft white sand. If it's the beaches you crave, Maui is the clear choice.

Travel between Hawaiian islands is limited to inter-island flights and limited ferries. Are there ferries between the Hawaiian islands? Yes, but only between Maui and Lanai.

Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki.

The Best Islands for a Short Trip to Hawaii

For trips to Hawaii lasting four or five days, I would recommend visiting O'ahu, Maui or Lanai. These Hawaiian Islands are smaller in size, and for that reason, are much easier to get around.

It's by far Hawaii's largest airport and hub. Most transpacific flights fly into Oahu. As you research flights from your home airport, you'll likely discover that almost all your options require you to fly into Oahu first. From Oahu's HNL, you can easily connect to any other island in Hawaii.

The average per-person cost for a Hawaii vacation is about $4000 for a one-week trip. This includes $1000 for flights, $2000 for accommodation, $550 for meals, $250 for a rental car, and $300 for tours and activities.

Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. while California ranks third. When you compare the cost of living in Hawaii and that of California, you will likely find that Hawaii's cost of living is considerably higher.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Maui

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Maui is January.

If you're ready to trade the hustle and bustle for variety and adventure in your life, Maui probably sounds like the perfect escape. If you're looking for something quieter and family-friendly, with plenty of outdoor activities and natural beauty, Kauai is the ideal island paradise.

How many days do you need in Hawaii?

While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

Average Income

In order to "be happy" in Hawaii in 2022, one study reports that you'll need a whopping salary of over $200,000.

Oahu is probably the most popular island to move to because of the job opportunities and salaries tend to be higher here. Oahu is Hawaiian through and through, but it also certainly has the most in common with the mainland – it's busy, fast-paced, and modern.

Can I move to Hawaii without a job? Yes, you can. Many newcomers do just that. Even so, you will have to find a job as soon as possible due to the high living expenses.

Kauai is the best Hawaiian island for travelers who like hiking, relaxing, and a quieter vibe.

With 227 miles of shoreline, Oahu is the best Hawaiian Island for beaches. Oahu has the best beaches in Hawaii due to Oahu's many protected bays, reefs surrounding the island, gold-sand beaches, and calm waters year-round.

We recommend Oahu if you desire a Hawaiian vacation that combines the amenities of a world-class city with the breathtaking beauty of nature. If you seek a peaceful time, we recommend Kauai because it offers a unique Pacific Paradise experience.

How much does it cost to go between Hawaiian islands?

Hawaii Inter-Island Commercial Flight Pricing

The best way to travel between Hawaiian islands is by flying with Hawaiian Airlines. They offer a consistent base cost of $45 per passenger between any of the major islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Kona.

If you live on the West Coast, Hawaii can be an easier and even more cost-effective destination than the Caribbean.

If you want a quick rule of thumb, to see and experience the major highlights of each island, you're going to need at least four days for Molokai and Lanai and five days minimum for Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii's Big Island. Day trips can be your friend when time is the enemy.

So, How Many Days Do You Need in Maui? If Maui is the only Hawaiian island you'll be visiting, you'll want at least 7-10 days to explore the island. That will give you enough time to do some day trips, take a few tours, check out the beaches, and have plenty of time to relax and unwind.

Big Island offers the widest variety of experiences for authentic Hawaiian experiences. Maui is perfect for you if you're looking for an island with a more miniature landscape but plenty of outdoor activities.

Maui is also famous for its glorious sands and has a beach for every mood. A drive along the coast takes you past windy kiteboard meccas, calm snorkel coves, and some of the biggest surfable waves on Earth. One of our favorite Maui beaches is Ka'anapali Beach, which is located on the western side of the island.

Take a flight from Honolulu to Maui for a one-day Maui excursion and explore the Road to Hana, one of the top things to do in Maui! Pass the old plantation town Paia to stop at waterfalls & a black sand beach along the 52-mile Hana Highway.

While Maui and Oahu have only one other island in between them, they're also not right on top of each other. The islands have about 100 miles of ocean between them. There is a 5x daily ferry that goes between the islands and takes 90 minutes.

To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. But while there are options, in most cases, you are probably boarding a flight before saying aloha to your next Hawaiian island destination.

LANAI ISLAND - THE PLACE TO RELAX Lanai entices the sophisticated traveller with a handful of exclusive luxury resorts and championship golf courses. It's the least visited Hawaiian Island, small in size and slow in pace those that travel to Lanai, by air or on the ferry from Maui, are forced to rest and relax.

Which Hawaiian island is for locals only?

Niihau, also known as the Forbidden Isle, is a beautiful small island in Hawaii spread across 180 sq km. The island is off-limits to outsiders and only the Robinson family, their relatives, invited guests, government officials and US Navy personnel are allowed here.

Food and Entertainment: Oahu + Maui

If your main desire is to dine at award-winning restaurants, try Hawaiian regional cuisine, take cooking lessons, and experience local culture, Oahu and Maui offer plenty to enjoy, especially if you love seafood and fusion cuisine.

Generally speaking, the best Hawaiian island to visit without a car is Oahu. This is because the bus system goes throughout much of the island and it's convenient enough to take the bus from Waikiki to different places, and there's also a bus from the Honolulu airport.

Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It's a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.

The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.

Maui vs Oahu: Oahu is right for you if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you're looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.

Hana is easily one of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii. The median housing price of $459,100 is well below the state average, and the $941 median monthly rent is, too. Hawaii might not be an inexpensive state – in fact, it's the most expensive state in the country.

LANAI ISLAND - THE PLACE TO RELAX Lanai entices the sophisticated traveller with a handful of exclusive luxury resorts and championship golf courses. It's the least visited Hawaiian Island, small in size and slow in pace those that travel to Lanai, by air or on the ferry from Maui, are forced to rest and relax.

Can I do Hawaii on a budget?

Hawaii is a year-round destination — and that's good news for budget travelers. You can find deals on airfare and accommodations during the slower shoulder months — September and October, January and February, April and May — avoiding peak travel times like summer, winter and spring break.

WINNER: If you're after traditional paradise beaches with golden sand and calm bays then Oahu is the one for you. But if you're less into sunbathing and more into unique ocean views then try The Big Island for something different.

Kauai is the winner

In our opinion, Kauai takes the throne as the prettiest Hawaiian island. It has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do.

Kauai is the best Hawaiian island for travelers who like hiking, relaxing, and a quieter vibe.

The average per-person cost for a Hawaii vacation is about $4000 for a one-week trip. This includes $1000 for flights, $2000 for accommodation, $550 for meals, $250 for a rental car, and $300 for tours and activities.

How many days are enough in Hawaii? While you might never want to leave Hawaii, usually people plan to stay 7-10 days during their vacation to Hawaii. That gives enough time to get over jet lag, participate in a few scheduled activities, explore the Hawaiian island a bit, and have time to relax and unwind.