Is Hawaii or New York a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Hawaii ranks higher overall. Hawaii is #21 and New York is #25 out of 50 states. Hawaii wins 5 of 11 categories, while New York wins 6.

How does Hawaii compare to New York in cost of living?

Hawaii has a cost of living index of 109, while New York's is 108 (100 = national average). New York is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Hawaii or New York?

Hawaii has 272 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 364 in New York. Hawaii has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Hawaii vs New York?

Hawaii's median household income is $94,814, compared to $81,386 in New York.

Hawaii vs New York: Side-by-Side (2026)

Hawaii

#21·West

63.2Composite Score

VSHawaii leads

New York

#25·Northeast

58.4Composite Score

5HI wins

6NY wins

Category Overlay

HawaiiNew York

Category Scores

💰 EconomyHI +46.3

90.0

43.7

🛡️ SafetyNY +12.7

53.3

66.0

🏥 HealthHI +10.2

83.7

73.5

🎓 EducationHI +6.1

65.3

59.2

💼 Fiscal HealthNY +8.0

36.5

44.5

📈 GrowthHI +7.1

27.0

19.9

🏠 AffordabilityNY +26.3

9.1

35.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +1.5

56.9

58.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessHI +6.1

36.3

30.2

🚇 TransportationNY +5.6

54.9

60.5

🎭 LivabilityNY +16.8

38.3

55.1

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Hawaii	New York	Winner
Population	1,435,138	19,571,216	NY
Median Income	$94,814	$81,386	HI
Unemployment	2.2%	4.5%	HI
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	272	364	HI
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	109	108	NY
HS Graduation Rate	86%	85%	HI
Life Expectancy	82.3 yr	79.1 yr	HI
Pop Growth	-0.1%	+0.4%	NY

Hawaii vs New York: How Do They Compare?

Hawaii ranks #21 overall with a composite score of 63.2, earning a B grade. New York sits at #25 with 58.4 and a B grade. Hawaii has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Hawaii has 2.2% unemployment and a $94,814 median income, while New York reports 4.5% unemployment and $81,386 median income.

For safety, Hawaii's violent crime rate is 272 per 100K compared to 364 in New York. Cost of living favors New York with an index of 108 vs 109.

Explore These States

Hawaii Full Profile63.2 New York Full Profile58.4 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023 📎America's Health Rankings, 2025 📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024 📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025 📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025 📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025 📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024 📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025 📎National Park Service API, 2024 📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024 📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023 📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023 📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24 📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22 📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23 📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023 📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023 📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022 📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023 📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022 📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025 📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023