Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Honolulu vs Los Angeles
Honolulu vs Los Angeles cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Honolulu
πΊπΈ Los AngelesLos Angeles is 17% cheaper than Honolulu
Living on $9,020 a month in Honolulu feels like about $8,136 in Los Angeles β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$482 vs $369
Per month
$9,020 vs $8,136
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 18
$18 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 21 vs $ 20
$21 vs $20
At a glance
Foodsimilar
CafΓ©s & drinkssimilar
TransportLos Angeles 22% cheaper
StayLos Angeles 15% cheaper
FunLos Angeles 18% cheaper
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (42%β), Hotel night (33%β), Haircut (24%β)
Item by item
| Item | Honolulu | Los Angeles | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 8.1$8.1 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | $ 45$45 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Los Angeles β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 8$8 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 21$21 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Los Angeles β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 5$5 | Los Angeles β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 21$21 | $ 20$20 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 15$15 | $ 12$12 | Los Angeles β20% |
| Transitone ride | $ 3$3 | $ 1.75$1.75 | Los Angeles β42% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 75$75 | $ 62$62 | Los Angeles β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 300$300 | $ 200$200 | Los Angeles β33% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,400$2,400 | $ 2,500$2,500 | similar |
| Laundry | $ 5$5 | $ 4$4 | Los Angeles β20% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 31$31 | $ 26$26 | Los Angeles β16% |
| Haircutcut | $ 46$46 | $ 35$35 | Los Angeles β24% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 130$130 | $ 100$100 | Los Angeles β23% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 110$110 | $ 93$93 | Los Angeles β15% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 31$31 | $ 26$26 | Los Angeles β16% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Honolulu or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is 17% cheaper than Honolulu. Daily budget $482 vs $369; a month $9,020 vs $8,136.
How do monthly costs compare between Honolulu and Los Angeles?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Honolulu is about $9,020 and Los Angeles about $8,136 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.