Is living in Oahu more expensive than living in Tokyo? (Honolulu: 2009, apartment)

[planning to relocate]

Hi folks,

After reading some of the postings here, I have an impression that it might be more costly to live in Honolulu/East Oahu/ Maui than in Tokyo. But, most (if not all) surveys on cost of living say Tokyo is more expensive. I have lived in Tokyo so I know the cost of living there, but I don't know that of Oahu or Maui. Does Oahu or Maui make people feel more expensive because they offer less variety of places to shop around for bargains or less groceries? Tokyo is expensive but you can get things cheaper if you look around or wait.

I plan to relocate to Oahu in 2 years and I would appreciate any comments from those who can compare the prices of Tokyo and Oahu.
I'm not rich yet, but I'm frugal and I mind dining out. So, if I feel okay with Tokyo's cost, I should be okay in Oahu right?

[Tiger Beer]

I'm living in Japan now..and been to Tokyo many times, and Honolulu as well.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the BIG difference is that there are MANY ways to make money in Tokyo...and jobs pay very well.

In Hawaii, MUCH MUCH fewer ways to attain money, and most jobs are not going to pay anywhere near Tokyo standards.

All of that being said, much like it is easy to find your 100 yen stores in Japan and get by on much less...same goes with Honolulu in particular. I think out in Maui, you are really stuck with what few selections and choices you have, whereas Honolulu would be more competitive price-wise.

[sevenofsix]

That survey is based on a 2 bedroom luxury apartment.

[whynot?]

I generally agree with your premise: you'll be okay in Honolulu if you're okay in Tokyo.

ECA's 2009 cost-of-living study shows Tokyo to be the second most expensive city for expats. (Link: BBC NEWS | Business | Tokyo 'most expensive expat city' ) The same survey ranks Honolulu 41st (Survey ranks Honolulu as 41st costliest place to live | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser).

Mercer Human Resources Consulting does a similar annual survey (fewer cities considered) ranks Tokyo as the (number 1) most expensive city and Honolulu repeats as the 41st. (Link: List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

There are quite a few "very expensive" cities in-between: New York, Paris, London, Rome, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, for example. These studies use New York as a benchmark, and since they are for expatriates, depend heavily upon the value and stability of one's national currency.

I think many posters on the forum are comparing the cost-of-living on Oahu (or in the state as a whole) to mainland US towns and cities. Presumably those of us who have lived in major cities on the mainland (NY, LA, SF, Boston, DC, etc.) are less shocked than those who live (or lived) in the outlying areas or smaller cities and towns.

Here on Maui, we definitely have fewer retail choices at either the luxury or discount end of the spectrum. This sometimes causes one to doubt the "value" (a highly individual and subjective matter) of a product because there may be nothing available to compare it to. (Not just in the case of groceries, clothing, etc., but also furnishings, appliances, electronics, and larger ticket items.) It's very hard to compare living in a major metropolitan area to living in a semi-rural area, even if the latter is dotted with resorts. As long as you're comparing apples to apples, you should be fine.

Best of luck.

[mdand3boys]

Honolulu is ranked #2 most expensive in the USA and 25th worldwide. New York City is #1 in the USA.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by planning to relocate

So, if I feel okay with Tokyo's cost, I should be okay in Oahu right?

The wages are significantly different.

But yeah, cost of living, more or less the same.

I feel like Honolulu is a BIT easier, just because taxis or subways are absolutely essential in Tokyo, whereas Honolulu has a lot of reasonable options with either low cost bus available or cars can get by without high parking costs.

[planning to relocate]

Thank you all for your comments and time writing.
It seems it's on par with Tokyo on the cost of living.

Let me give you some of my backgrounds.
- Oh, I read about the bugs, pitbulls, traffic, mosquitos, etc.. ^^;
- We have been to Honolulu a couple of times and we liked it as tourists.
- I'm a Korean, my wife is a Japanese. We have a 5 year old daughter.
- I have been living in Austin for 11 years.
- I read the public schools are not that good. I believe we as parents can supplement what schools cannot provide to my daughter.
- Crimes. well I felt safe when I visited Honolulu..
- I am a beginner CPA and my wife will be graduating soon with health care administration degree. How is the job market for hospital management in Oahu?
-I and my wife know how to repect and blend among folks.
-we don't have $120,000, 20% downpayment for a median priced home. Far less than that. But, we understand that buying a house is a life long project and we don't mind saving hard for it. I don't think saving hard and being frugal to buy a home translate into sacrificing or painul. It's a normal life where we grew up.
-I would rather have the Rock Fever than the Texas heat.

Based on some of my backgrounds, can you all throw me some thoughts or comments on reasons why I should reconsider moving to Oahu?

[teraval]

I don't know how to convince you to move to Oahu, but I'm making the move next month. I currently live in Austin as well and the heat is pretty terrible these days. To be completely honest, I'd rather live in Japan any day. Even over lovely Hawaii. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

[alex7777]

Originally Posted by teraval

I don't know how to convince you to move to Oahu, but I'm making the move next month. I currently live in Austin as well and the heat is pretty terrible these days. To be completely honest, I'd rather live in Japan any day. Even over lovely Hawaii. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

Why would you prefer Japan? Seems more crowded, noisy, polluted and racist.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by alex7777

Why would you prefer Japan? Seems more crowded, noisy, polluted and racist.

I'm white and live in Japan, no racist experiences whatsoever.

Japan isn't polluted either. Very 1st world.

Noisy & crowded depends on where you are...Japan doesn't equal Tokyo.