User:Aareno/sandbox

= Cost of Living in Hawaii = Paradise comes with a price. Hawaii is one of the states with the highest cost of living. Hawaii has the highest cost of living index, with a index of 196.3. This is 91.67 higher then the average cost living index, being 104.63. Hawaii's cost of living is 96.3% higher than the average in the U.S. The largest single contributor in Hawaii is tourism. Tourism has contributed to Hawaii's gross domestic product and accounts for 21% of it's entire economy. 60% of Hawaii's job growth comes from hotels and restaurants. In Hawaii, 20% of all workers were employed by hotels and restaurants. The median household income in Hawaii is $2,768 a month, fourth highest in the nation. Because of Hawaii's high living costs, residents have a deficit after covering their living costs. With the high cost of living in Hawaii and the low incomes compared to these costs, this can lead to homelessness, which has become a big problem in Hawaii.

Income and Wages
Hawaii has a livable wage of $61,000. Living in Honolulu requires a wage of $16.59 per hour for a livable wage. Studies show that you'll need more than $122,000 to live comfortably in Hawaii. In a family with 2 children, each adult needs to earn $17.70 per hour. Honolulu's average salary is $66,000. The average salary in the United States is $51,688. The minimum wage in Hawaii is $10.10. Based on the Fed's Supplemental Poverty Measure, this is below the COL. The average hourly wage in Honolulu was $25.43 with a mean salary of $52,000. This is slightly higher than the national average of $24.96 per hour, which is a mean salary of $51.960. The average wages of people without a high school diploma is $24,658, $31,826 for people that graduated high school and $49,465 for people that graduated college.

Housing
A two bedroom apartment costs about $1,895 per month. Hawaii's housing index is 336.3. A typical home is valued at about $660,000.Hawaii's consumer prices, including housing rents and inputs of rent from house owners, are 19% higher than the national average. Rent in Hawaii is more than 50% higher than the national average. Studio apartments on Oahu can cost anywhere from $1000 to over $1600 per month, which is around $150 for one person. Generally, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment or house ranges from about $1500 to $2000, while the rent for a two-bedroom apartment or house begins at $1800.Condos on Oahu sell for a median price of $455,000.The monthly energy bill in Hawaii is on average $168.13. Compared to the national average of $117.65, that's $50.48 more expensive. .

Transportation
Some ways to get around in Hawaii are by car, bus or by bike. On average, gas in Hawaii can cost $3.16 per gallon. Taking public transportation such as the bus can cost $2.75 per ticket. Parking typically ranges from $100 to $200 monthly when in the city. Another way to get around would be the Honolulu Rail Transit. But, there have been many delays to its construction.

Food and Groceries
Groceries are significantly more expensive in Hawaii because most of the goods need to be shipped in. The average price of goods in Hawaii is 11% above the national average. The prices of groceries are much higher than other places. Hawaii was ranked at 196.3 for groceries index, this score is based on a national index of 100. Hawaii was much higher than other states, Washington had a score of 111.3 and Oregon at 134.6.

Why the high cost?
Goods are much higher in Hawaii because everything must be shipped or flown in from the mainland. This makes goods more expensive because of shipping cost. Housing can be very expensive in Hawaii because Hawaii is a very desirable place for rich people to buy property. Hawaii is a beautiful place and is seen as a paradise. Living in a paradise comes at a cost.