Key takeaway: A single adult needs $41,893 to $49,073 a year just to cover basics, with nothing saved, depending on the county (DBEDT, 2024 data). MIT’s living wage, which adds a bit more room, is $62,047 to $68,816. Kauaʻi and Maui are the most expensive counties on both measures. Numbers checked October 30, 2026.
Single adult
| County | State bare-bones budget (DBEDT) | MIT living wage | Hourly (MIT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kauaʻi | $49,073 | $66,922 | $32.17 |
| Maui | $46,265 | $68,816 | $33.08 |
| Honolulu (Oʻahu) | $42,698 | $64,134 | $30.83 |
| Hawaiʻi Island | $41,893 | $62,047 | $29.83 |
Before taxes. Sources: DBEDT Self-Sufficiency Income Standard, 2024 data (Dec 2025); MIT Living Wage Calculator, Feb 2026 (Kauaʻi, Maui, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi).
Two adults, two children
| County | State bare-bones budget (DBEDT) | MIT living wage, both adults working |
|---|---|---|
| Kauaʻi | $101,055 | $149,290 |
| Maui | $97,905 | $155,806 |
| Honolulu (Oʻahu) | $95,171 | $160,542 |
| Hawaiʻi Island | $89,023 | $140,767 |
DBEDT’s family is two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child. Same sources.
Why the numbers differ
DBEDT’s self-sufficiency standard covers housing, food, childcare, transportation, health care and taxes with no savings and no extras (DBEDT). MIT’s living wage uses somewhat fuller budgets. Neither includes paying off debt or saving for a home.
How many families fall short
By DBEDT’s count, 41.3% of single adults and 23.7% of two-parent, two-child families earned less than the bare-bones budget in 2024 (DBEDT). Aloha United Way’s ALICE report found 41% of households statewide couldn’t afford basics, and 53% on Maui after the fires (Aloha United Way; Civil Beat).
Compare with what jobs pay
Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage of $16 an hour is about $33,280 a year full time. See what jobs pay by island and rent by island.