Best Cities for Retirees in Hawaii
Hawaii ranks #39 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 54.4. East Honolulu is its best city for retirees at 63.9.
- Hawaii, all states
- #39 of 50
- Population
- 51,360
What Retirees Should Know About Hawaii
At #39 out of 50, Hawaii isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in health, and retirees with specific priorities (safety, established communities) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Hawaii's health score of 89/100 reflects strong medical infrastructure — life expectancy here is 80 years, above the national average. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 13.92% of income. The 11% income tax rate is worth factoring into retirement income projections. Property taxes run 0.27% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
At $833,340, the typical home is worth more than the 50-state average — retirees relocating from lower-cost areas may face sticker shock. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 76/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1East Honolulu | A+ | 63.9 | 68.5 | 83 | 96 | 17 | 51,360 |
| 2Mililani Mauka | A+ | 62.2 | 67.8 | 80 | 95 | 25 | 21,278 |
| 3Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | A+ | 61.5 | 68.0 | 74 | 98 | 17 | 39,640 |
| 4Mililani Town | A | 61.2 | 63.1 | 75 | 90 | 24 | 27,668 |
| 5Ewa Gentry | A | 58.8 | 64.4 | 74 | 94 | 26 | 26,563 |
| 6Pearl City | B+ | 58.8 | 61.3 | 75 | 81 | 25 | 44,547 |
| 7Ocean Pointe | A | 58.2 | 66.4 | 77 | 100 | 17 | 17,085 |
| 8Ewa Beach | B+ | 57.9 | 62.0 | 72 | 85 | 29 | 14,376 |
| 9Kaneohe | B+ | 57.0 | 62.4 | 68 | 77 | 26 | 37,355 |
| 10Kapolei | A | 56.4 | 63.3 | 65 | 85 | 32 | 22,232 |
| 11Wailuku | B | 56.1 | 57.0 | 71 | 77 | 35 | 16,926 |
| 12Honolulu | B+ | 55.2 | 59.7 | 70 | 56 | 34 | 345,482 |
| 13Waipahu | B | 54.7 | 58.6 | 70 | 63 | 34 | 40,482 |
| 14Kahului | C+ | 53.5 | 55.1 | 72 | 67 | 38 | 28,288 |
| 15Makakilo | C+ | 51.7 | 55.7 | 67 | 75 | 27 | 20,735 |
| 16Kihei | C+ | 51.4 | 53.3 | 67 | 65 | 29 | 21,567 |
| 17Hilo | C | 50.0 | 51.9 | 67 | 49 | 56 | 50,404 |
| 18Schofield Barracks | C | 49.5 | 52.2 | 68 | 70 | 26 | 16,270 |
| 19Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) | D | 48.5 | 48.9 | 65 | 52 | 45 | 21,818 |
| 20Wahiawa | C | 48.1 | 51.7 | 58 | 48 | 38 | 17,996 |
City retirees scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Hawaii for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii a good state for retirees?
Hawaii ranks #39 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 54.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (89/100) and its weakest is Affordability (4/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Hawaii?
East Honolulu ranks #1 in Hawaii for retirees with a score of 63.9/100, followed by Mililani Mauka and Kailua CDP (Honolulu County).
What factors are most important for retirees in Hawaii?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.