Honolulu is ranked extremely high among livable cities. The most populous city in Hawaii and its capital, it’s a major tourism destination, a hub for business, and a fusion of East-West and Pacific Island culture.
Cost of Living
According to city statistics aggregation website AreaVibes.com, Honolulu has a very high cost of living, well above the national average. The city’s cost of living index is 175 against the baseline rating of 100. This means it is over 75 percent higher than the national average. It is, however, on par with averages across the state.
The median salary for a Honolulu household is around $59,000. Unemployment and poverty rates are both below the national average.
Housing
Home ownership in Honolulu is a good investment, with home values hovering around $550,000, well above the national average.
Because of the high cost of living, rental properties are more popular, with almost 56 percent of residents renting instead of owning. Average rent costs in the city are $1,231, which is nine percent lower than the state average but over 38 percent higher than the national average.
Homes of all types are available, from basic efficiency apartments to properties in luxurious gated communities.
Weather
Honolulu is often viewed as a tropical paradise, surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean with a sunny and hot climate.
For those who dislike winter, the lowest average temperature in the area is 72.1 degrees in February. The highest average temperature in August tops 80 degrees and precipitation is extremely low overall.
Air quality is also outstanding, with no average days of poor quality and only 18 days per year at moderate quality, on average.
Education
Honolulu has a high student to teacher ratio. With state and national averages both at 16:1, the city’s ratio sits at 19:1. It boasts 78 public schools, 48 private schools, and 30 institutions of postsecondary education.
The region is highly educated, with over 62 percent of residents completing some college or technical school and almost 34 percent holding at least a 4-year degree.
Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa are among the most well-known universities.
Outdoor Recreation
Of course, the most popular outdoor activity in this region is surfing. Other local activities include hiking, bike trails, snorkeling, boating, and swimming.
The historic location at Waikiki was once a playground for the native Pacific Island royalty and is now a tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over the world. The Diamond Head (Leahi) state monument offers breathtaking vistas of the entire island.
Arts and Culture
As a major tourist attraction, Honolulu has a rich breadth of arts and culture available. The fusion of Pacific Island tradition with East-meets-West cultural elements creates a stunning setting for entertainment.
From the 12-acre Kubini Reserve, which reproduces an African savanna, to the Iolani Palace, the only authentic royal palace in the United States, the region has every form of art and culture for which one could hope.
Restaurants
Hawaii is renowned for its local fusion cuisine. There’s a food truck around every corner and the wealth of restaurants cannot be beat.
There are restaurants for any budget, taste, and palate. Check out Kaimuki’s Waialae Avenue for a full range of choices from an espresso bar to a patisserie.
There are also Italian bistros, Chinese bakeries, dim-sum restaurants, Mexican food, and, of course, traditional and contemporary Hawaiian fare.
Sports
While there are no professional sports teams in Honolulu, the University of Hawaii is present to satisfy your traditional sporting fix. Beach sports are among the most popular in the region, with NCAA tournaments selling out regularly.
Surfing is a major attraction and the area hosts some of the biggest competitions in the entire world. Winter waves can reach up to 30 feet in height with 40-foot breaks, allowing for breathtaking feats of athletics.
Featured image source: Flickr user foot fingers
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