Honolulu, HI vs San Diego, CA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | HonoluluHonolulu, HI | San DiegoSan Diego, CA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Good | Good | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | Safe | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Great | Great | Same |
| Sovereignty | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | High Risk |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 31, Honolulu, HI has a far lower air quality index than San Diego, CA’s 71, according to 2024 EPA data. 2023 Census figures show Honolulu’s population density is 54 per square mile, while San Diego’s is 4,248 per square mile, a difference of 4,194. Honolulu’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, placing it in the 8th percentile, compared to San Diego’s 4.3% in the 78th percentile. The median age in Honolulu is 42.9, in the 80th percentile, whereas San Diego’s median age is 36, in the 33rd percentile.
Violent crime rates differ notably, with Honolulu reporting 166 per 100,000 people (32nd percentile) and San Diego reporting 372 per 100,000 people (75th percentile), a rate 2.2 times higher. Distance to an international border is 2,731 miles for Honolulu (99th percentile) and just 20 miles for San Diego (2nd percentile). Honolulu’s distance to a coastline is 2,521 miles (99th percentile), while San Diego’s is 5 miles (6th percentile). The cost of living index is 210 for Honolulu and 235 for San Diego, with San Diego 12% higher. Median rent in Honolulu is $1,783 (84th percentile) versus $2,223 in San Diego (95th percentile), a 25% difference.
Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu (65th percentile) and $104,321 in San Diego (80th percentile), 22% higher. The share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 40.8% in Honolulu (68th percentile) and 49.9% in San Diego (79th percentile), a 9.1 percentage point gap. Both cities receive an F grade for national disaster risk and an F grade for firearm laws.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 21092nd pctl | 23594th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Honolulu, HI 210; San Diego, CA 235; San Diego is 12% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $834,10094th pctl | $848,50094th pctl | About the same |
| Median rent | $1,78384th pctl | $2,22395th pctl | Median rent: Honolulu, HI $1,783; San Diego, CA $2,223; San Diego is 25% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $85,42865th pctl | $104,32180th pctl | Median household income: Honolulu, HI $85,428; San Diego, CA $104,321; San Diego is 22% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $116,47190th pctl | $130,15493rd pctl | Comfortable income (single): Honolulu, HI $116,471; San Diego, CA $130,154; San Diego is 12% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $171,21390th pctl | $191,32693rd pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Honolulu, HI $171,213; San Diego, CA $191,326; San Diego is 12% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Unaffordable | Unaffordable | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in San Diego needs about
$83,900
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 210 vs 235). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 2.5%8th pctl | 4.3%78th pctl | Unemployment: Honolulu, HI 2.5%; San Diego, CA 4.3%; San Diego is 1.8 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.1%50th pctl | +0.7%38th pctl | About the same |
| Per-capita income | $48,46575th pctl | $54,67883rd pctl | Per-capita income: Honolulu, HI $48,465; San Diego, CA $54,678; San Diego is 13% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 11.9%52nd pctl | 11.1%48th pctl | About the same |
| CommuteAverage commute | 22.3 min43rd pctl | 23.9 min54th pctl | Average commute: Honolulu, HI 22.3 min; San Diego, CA 23.9 min; San Diego is 2 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 8.9%39th pctl | 19.2%81st pctl | Work from home: Honolulu, HI 8.9%; San Diego, CA 19.2%; San Diego is 10.3 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | Job market: Honolulu, HI A+; San Diego, CA B-; Honolulu is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 16632nd pctl | 37275th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Honolulu, HI 166; San Diego, CA 372; San Diego is 2.2 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 1,39851st pctl | 1,53959th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Honolulu, HI 1,398; San Diego, CA 1,539; San Diego is 10% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Safe | Fair | Crime & safety: Honolulu, HI B+; San Diego, CA D+; Honolulu is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Honolulu, HI A+; San Diego, CA B+; Honolulu is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Air quality: Honolulu, HI A+; San Diego, CA B+; Honolulu is graded higher. |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Humid | Comfortable | Climate comfort: Honolulu, HI C+; San Diego, CA B+; San Diego is graded higher. |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Poor | Tap water: Honolulu, HI A; San Diego, CA F; Honolulu is graded higher. |
| Power grid | AverageState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Power grid: Honolulu, HI C+; San Diego, CA A-; San Diego is graded higher. |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | D-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi0th pctl | 8 mi8th pctl | Nearest large city: Honolulu, HI 0 mi; San Diego, CA 8 mi; San Diego is higher (Honolulu: 0 mi). |
| Target proximity | Poor | Weak | Target proximity: Honolulu, HI F; San Diego, CA C; San Diego is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 2,731 mi99th pctl | 20 mi2nd pctl | Distance to international border: Honolulu, HI 2,731 mi; San Diego, CA 20 mi; Honolulu is 2,711 mi higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 2,521 mi99th pctl | 5 mi6th pctl | Distance to coastline: Honolulu, HI 2,521 mi; San Diego, CA 5 mi; Honolulu is 2,516 mi higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | High Risk | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,32398th pctl | 1,385,061100th pctl | Population: Honolulu, HI 346,323; San Diego, CA 1,385,061; San Diego is 4.0 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 547th pctl | 4,24888th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Honolulu, HI 54; San Diego, CA 4,248; San Diego is 4,194 higher. |
| Median age | 42.980th pctl | 3633rd pctl | Median age: Honolulu, HI 42.9; San Diego, CA 36; Honolulu is 6.9 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 40.8%68th pctl | 49.9%79th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Honolulu, HI 40.8%; San Diego, CA 49.9%; San Diego is 9.1 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.554th pctl | 2.663rd pctl | About the same |
More about Honolulu's residents · San Diego's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Honolulu and San Diego
- Median rent: $1,783 in Honolulu, $2,223 in San Diego
- Median home value: $834,100 in Honolulu, $848,500 in San Diego
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 210 in Honolulu, 235 in San Diego
- Median household income: $85,428 in Honolulu, $104,321 in San Diego
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $171,213 in Honolulu, $191,326 in San Diego
- Unemployment: 2.5% in Honolulu, 4.3% in San Diego
- Average commute: 22.3 min in Honolulu, 23.9 min in San Diego
- Violent crime per 100k: 166 in Honolulu, 372 in San Diego
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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