Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Hawaii and Washington. Updated for 2026.
Hawaii and Washington are evenly matched across major housing cost categories. Your decision may come down to other factors like job market, climate, or lifestyle preferences. Use the calculators below to model your specific scenario.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
The monthly payment difference is $1,202/month — that’s $14,424/year or $433K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Washington is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in Hawaii, you need a household income of approximately $228K/year. In Washington, you need $177K/year — less by $52K/year. That $52K income gap means Washington is accessible to a significantly wider range of households.
Washington offers meaningfully lower home prices than Hawaii, with median prices running 30% less ($250K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Hawaii may find Washington far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Hawaii has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.28% versus Washington's 0.98%. While the rate gap of 0.70% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $3,360 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $27K in savings.
Closing costs are a one-time but significant expense. Hawaii averages $12K in closing costs (1.5% of purchase price) while Washington averages $8K (1.4%). The difference is spread across title insurance, attorney fees, and recording costs rather than a single large tax. Budget for these upfront costs — they affect how much cash you need on hand at closing.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Hawaii's HHFDC Hula Mae Program provides Below-market rate mortgages, while Washington's WSHFC Home Advantage offers Up to $10,000 DPA. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: Washington homes cost $250K less than Hawaii on average. That translates to roughly $1,202 less per month in total housing costs if you choose Washington. For most buyers, this price gap is the single biggest factor — it affects your loan size, monthly payment, and how quickly you build equity.