With stunning natural scenery, a tropical climate, and magnificent beaches, Hawaii is unquestionably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With a growing job market, a wide range of outdoor activities, first-rate schools, and amenities, the Hawaiian islands are conducive to high-quality, year-round living.
Hawaii is the perfect place for someone looking for a fresh start. Plus, you can experience cultural diversity in one place. Choosing a place to live is the first step in developing solid moving plans.
Key Highlights
- Consider your budget: The cost of living in Hawaii is high, so choose a place that fits your financial needs. Honolulu and East Honolulu offer the highest livability but are expensive, while Waikele and Pearl City are more affordable.
- Lifestyle matters: Each town has its own unique character. Honolulu is vibrant and diverse, Hilo is known for its natural beauty and affordability, while Kahului is great for families and has excellent schools.
- Think about your priorities: Do you want beaches and outdoor activities? Consider Kailua or Kahala. Want a family-friendly community? Mililani or Lahaina might be perfect. Looking for a quiet retirement spot? Kula or Princeville could be ideal.
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Take a look at these 15 outstanding cities and towns that make up Hawaii’s best places to live.
Recommended: If you are worried about the cost of living in Hawaii, we recommend reading our “is it expensive to live in Hawaii” article before moving there.
15 Best Places to Live in Hawaii
1. Honolulu – Best City for Millennials
Honolulu is widely recognized as having the highest livability in the entire state of Hawaii. With approximately 359,870 residents, Honolulu is the most populous place in Hawaii. The city has everything from world-class beaches to outdoor recreation, fine dining, and lively nightlife, this city has it all.
Honolulu is known for being Hawaii’s gateway to the world because of its tropical climate, amazing surfing spots, beautiful scenery, and golden beaches.
You’ll get to experience a variety of lifestyles and cultures here since there are so many people in one place. You can have grand adventures by yourself or with your family. The infrastructure and accommodations are also excellent.
The housing market is diverse, with single-family homes, estates, and beachfront condos constituting a large portion of available housing. Schools, hospitals, and other services are located throughout the city. Overall, Honolulu is the perfect combination of local spirit and world-class attractions.
2. Hilo – Most Underrated Town
There are many reasons to live in Hilo, Hawaii, including access to affordable fresh and healthy food.
Among the city’s attractions are Hilo International Airport, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, numerous museums, art galleries, and unique shops. Hilo has a variety of shopping options, including grocery stores, book stores, health food stores, boutiques, gift shops, big malls and small malls, local stores, and box stores.
Hilo has a lot of fun and interesting things to do, activities and organizations to join, as well as educational opportunities. This is a great place to take walks, swim, and stay fit. Hilo has high-speed internet service that keeps it connected with the world. Boredom is impossible in Hilo.
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3. Kahului – Known for its top-notch schools
With a number of shopping malls and high-end stores, Kahului is a retail hub for Maui residents. The Kahului Airport serves thousands of residents and visitors annually. A good public school system is available, including Maui High School and Maui Waena Intermediate School.
A strong economy, strong growth, good health, mild winters, comfortable summers, and plenty of amenities are a few of the many benefits of living in Kahului.
4. Maunawili – The best place to retire in Hawaii
Maunawili is without a doubt the best place to live in Hawaii. There are just 2,149 people living in Maunawili on the island of Oahu.
The majority of residents in Maunawili own their homes, giving the area a rural feel. Maunawili is a liberal area with several retirees living there. The public schools are above average in Maunawili.
Property prices are high, as you would expect from the most desirable place to live in Hawaii. Most of the homes in Maunawili are modern, light, and spacious. Many of these homes feature their own private swimming pool, tennis court, and expansive garden areas.
5. Waikele – The best place to live in Hawaii for millennials
Although Waikele is only the third best place to live in Hawaii, it is fast becoming a favorite among the millennial generation. Therefore, Waikele is considered to be one of the best places in Hawaii to raise a family.
House prices here are around $414,400 in Waikele, much less expensive than in Maunawili. Waikele properties offer excellent value for money, and this is true for rental properties as well. The average monthly rent in Waikele is $1907, which is higher than the national average.
Waikele has great access to green spaces. A popular hangout for many residents is the Waikele Golf Club, as well as Pasty T Mink Park. There is a large designer outlet mall here too, so it’s time to grab some bargains!
6. Kailua – Best City For Adventurers
The city of Kailua is home to Kahana Beach, Kahana Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, as well as the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, which hosts over 1,800 annual events.
Parents have a number of choices when selecting schools in the area. Commuting into the city is manageable, and public transportation is available in and out of Kailua to make life easier for residents.
The town is extremely popular with tourists, and unfortunately, second home buyers have inadvertently inflated the price of houses in comparison to a decade or more ago. This region of Hawaii has a higher median household income than the rest of the state; it is twice as high as the national average.
Kailua is one of Hawaii’s safest neighborhoods.
7. Kahala – Best Know For Its Beaches
The upscale community of Kahala in Honolulu has some of the most expensive estates in the Aloha State. While mostly residential, its location (near Diamond Head and Waikiki) is convenient for homeowners.
Overall, the neighborhood is relatively safe and peaceful. Kahala’s beaches are one of Honolulu’s best-kept secrets, too. Due to these reasons, Kahala is popular among celebrities and other influential individuals.
Housing options include both older properties and new construction and real estate investors often come into a flip or tear-down houses.
8. Mililani – The best place to live in Hawaii for families
Living in Mililani is a family-friendly experience. There are many parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers to keep you entertained. At most, there is one bar and a few restaurants for nightlife activities.
Small shops provide residents with nearly everything they need. There are 45 schools in Mililani, a community popular with families. Mililani is home to 28,021 people. Mililani has the best schools in all of Hawaii.
Overall, Mililani is a very good place to live, even though it is quite expensive.
9. East Honolulu – Highest Livability
Honolulu is not the same as East Honolulu. Despite being on Oahu, it is east of Honolulu’s center. With a population of about 49,914, it is also a census-designated place.
The cost of living here is high, but it is a great place for large families, singles, and couples. The median income here is $111,582. Although it is a costly town, there are many advantages to living here.
The public schools are good and there are multiple occupations available. In spite of the lack of a bustling city lifestyle, it has stunning homes where you can conveniently raise your family. There are several grocery markets and shopping malls. Among the best places to live on the island.
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10. Lahaina – Hawaii’s best all-around place to live
Lahaina is the largest community in Maui, home to 11,700 people. It is pretty impressive to have a property in Lahaina, especially one that is close to the beach.
Others have infinity pools that overlook green hills. Many of the cafes and restaurants in Lahaina cater to tourists, but the food they serve is also enjoyed by locals much of the time.
34 public schools are located in the Lahaina area, so parents have a wide variety of options to choose from.
11. Wailea – Best Place For Whale Watching
A small-town charm, championship golf, and stunning beaches make Wailea one of the best places to live in Hawaii. One downside of Wailea is that it is a popular tourist destination and the area can get quite crowded during peak season.
Although Wailea receives a large number of tourists every year, it has managed to maintain its local flavor, and its residents are fiercely protective of it.
The small community of 5,600 people in Wailea says that the number of local businesses is fantastic and provides residents with a great deal of choice.
There are a lot of schools in Wailea, and they are high-performing schools About 35 minutes away is the Kahului Airport, which can be accessed easily from the community.
12. Pearl City – Wonderful place to live in Hawaii
Pearl City is located on Oahu’s south shore, whose main attraction is Pearl Harbor, where the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the island in 1941.
Pearl City has a good public school system and the University of Hawaii-Leeward Community College, and the three-mile Waimano Pool Hiking Trail is graced by two small ponds and a shimmering waterfall.
With 47,021 residents, there is never a dull moment in Pearl City. Pearl City is one of the more affordable areas of Hawaii to buy real estate.
The median home value is $592,000. In Pearl City, shopping around would be of benefit, take time to see what is on the market before parting with your cash.
13. Princeville – A most beautiful place to live in Hawaii
The city of Princeville is simply stunning. In terms of living there, there are great public schools, diverse residents, and gorgeous views everywhere you look.
It’s also a booming community of vacation homes and condo-style apartments because it’s so close to scenic spots like Queen’s Bath and Hanalei Pier. When you see Princeville for yourself, you’ll understand why people never want to leave.
14. Kula – The best place to retire in Hawaii
Kula, which is located on the beautiful island of Hawaii, is known as a tight-knit and quaint town.
Kula is popular with snowbirds or retirees who want a place that is quiet and relaxing.
It’s remote from the rest of the businesses in Hawaii, giving a warm and friendly atmosphere for people who want to make their home somewhere that’s easy to find peace.
There are also good schools in this town, so if you’re looking for one of the best places in Hawaii to raise a family, consider this.
But if your kids are interested in extra-curricular activities, or if you want to take advantage of the beautiful beaches, you might not want to move to this remote community.
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15. Kapolei – Hawaii’s fastest-growing city
Often referred to as Hawaii’s second city, Kapolei does live somewhat in the shadows of Honolulu.
Kapolei does not scream issues of unemployment, even though jobs are few and far between, and access to Honolulu CBD is within half an hour.
While jobs are few and far between in Kapolei, the United States, in comparison to other residential areas in Hawaii, the cost of living in Kapolei is more than reasonable.
There are 18,737 residents in the area, giving it a city-like feel. It goes without saying that in a Hawaiian community you don’t feel lost in the hustle of the city.
Tips for moving to Hawaii
It’s no secret that there are a lot of decisions to be made if you and your family are planning to ship off to one of the most beautiful (and by far the most unique) states in the country.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind when planning your big move to Hawaii:
Decide where to go
As soon as you have made these decisions, you can calculate your housing costs. Whatever your income level or price range, you will have a higher cost of living than you would have in the USA.
Choosing a place to live and the type of lifestyle you want is a hard decision that needs to be made based on your budget.
Decide moving furniture
Moving your stuff is always a major hurdle for people moving to Hawaii. Having to ship everything you own to Hawaii is a daunting task.
If you are looking for a company to move your furniture, boxes, or even valuables, make sure you check for similar accolades. You may not have to move all your furniture, but it can be expensive.
Pack as you would for a vacation. The less you bring, the better
Transporting a car to Hawaii
If you move to Hawaii, you will most definitely need a vehicle. Shipping a car to Hawaii is not as complicated as people think it is.
To ship cars to the Hawaiian islands, you must find a company with a great deal of experience in the industry. Look up car shipping experiences on Google or ask around.
It may help you find other car owners who have shipped their cars. The company without any reviews and the company with a lot of negative reviews should be avoided.
Recommended: Visit our page on transport cars from state to state for more information about our nationwide car shipping services.
Cost of shipping a car to Hawaii
Getting a quote and booking your order are the first steps for Hawaii car transport. By using our online calculator below, you can instantly obtain a price quote and book your order.
When you’re ready to ship your car, work with one of the best car transport companies. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by live chat or phone at 888-802-8250. We are happy to help you with your move to Hawaii!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Hawaii is best to live in?
Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai are some of the best places to live in Hawaii. Honolulu offers a bustling urban environment with many job opportunities, Maui is great for those who enjoy outdoor activities and a slower pace of life, and Kauai is a more secluded area with beautiful landscapes and a close-knit community.
Which is the safest place to live in Hawaii?
Some of the safest places to live in Hawaii are Honolulu, Mililani, and Kailua on Oahu; Kahului on Maui; and Hilo and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. These areas have lower crime rates and are known for their family-friendly communities. However, it’s important to note that safety can vary depending on specific neighborhoods within these areas, so it’s always a good idea to do your research before deciding on a place to live.
Where do most foreigners like to live in Hawaii?
Many foreigners choose to live in the tourist areas of Waikiki and Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Other popular areas include the resort town of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, the coastal town of Lahaina on Maui, and the north shore of Kauai. However, foreigners can also be found living in more rural or remote areas of Hawaii, depending on their preferences and reasons for relocating to the islands.
Is it realistic to move to Hawaii?
Moving to Hawaii is realistic for many people, but it’s important to do thorough research and planning before making the move. Hawaii can be an expensive place to live, and the cost of living may be higher than what you’re used to. Additionally, finding work in Hawaii can be challenging, and some industries may not offer as many opportunities as other parts of the country. That being said, many people do successfully make the move to Hawaii and enjoy the unique lifestyle and culture the islands have to offer. It’s important to carefully consider your financial situation, job prospects, and other factors before deciding to move to Hawaii.
Hawaii is not cheap. even your normal living expenses can’t be covered easily. But it is admitted that Hawaii is one of the best places to live in regardless of how expensive it is. I hope it wasn’t that expensive to survive.