Quick answer
Rhode Island has lower average 1BR rent ($1,650/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Rhode Island (5.99% (top)) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $3,000/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs Rhode Island
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Hawaii vs Rhode Island at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,650 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $380K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Providence ($1,650) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Providence ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | 5.99% (top) ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 | 75/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 1 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Rhode Island (5.99% (top)).
Salary $80K
$2,000
/year saved in Rhode Island
Salary $120K
$3,000
/year saved in Rhode Island
Salary $200K
$5,000
/year saved in Rhode Island
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
Rhode Island (RI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 5.99% (top bracket). Combined with property taxes averaging 1.0–1.2% and homeowner insurance running $1,500+/year (highest in region due to hurricane exposure), total tax burden on $300k income approaches $25k annually.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Property taxes 1.0–1.2% are highest in region outside Massachusetts. A $500k home costs $5,000–6,000 annually.
- ✕Homeowner insurance averages $1,500–2,000/year (hurricane exposure). Flood insurance required in coastal areas adds $1,200–3,000 annually.
- ✕Job market small—limited career mobility without relocating to Boston or New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or Rhode Island cheaper to live in?
Rhode Island has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,650/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $450/mo difference. Home prices: Rhode Island median is $380K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Rhode Island: which has lower state income tax?
Rhode Island has lower state income tax (5.99% (top)) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $2,000/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $5,000/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Rhode Island?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Rhode Island?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Rhode Island's largest metros include Providence. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.