Best Places to Retire in Hawaii
Hawaii can appeal to retirees for a mix of affordability, healthcare, climate, and local tradeoffs. The best options depend a lot on where you look within the state.
Hawaii retirement snapshot
How to use this page
Hawaii County, Hawaii
A useful in-state option to compare with nearby counties and metros.
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii Metro
A useful in-state option to compare with nearby counties and metros.
#4 Kauai County, Hawaii
Overall Retirement Score: 71
Kauai County, Hawaii adds another viable in-state option for retirees prioritizing balance, air quality, healthcare access, or lower-risk regional living.
Best counties to retire in Hawaii
#1 Honolulu County, Hawaii
Overall Retirement Score: 73
Honolulu County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize climate comfort and overall livability, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower housing costs or the lowest disaster-risk profile.
#2 Kauai County, Hawaii
Overall Retirement Score: 70
Kauai County, Hawaii adds another useful in-state option, giving retirees another in-state option to compare.
#3 Hilo, Hawaii Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 72
Hilo, Hawaii Metro adds another metro-level option for users comparing affordability, healthcare access, climate comfort, and regional livability.
Best metros to retire in Hawaii
#1 Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 74
A stronger fit for climate comfort and overall livability than for value-driven retirement or the lowest-risk profile.
#2 Honolulu, Hawaii Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 72
Honolulu, Hawaii Metro adds another useful in-state metro option.
Best places in Hawaii by priority
Most affordable
Honolulu County, Hawaii is one of the stronger affordability options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for healthcare
Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Metro is one of the stronger healthcare-access options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for mild weather
Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Metro is one of the stronger mild-weather options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Lowest risk
Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Metro is one of the stronger lower-risk options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for clean air
Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Metro is one of the stronger clean-air options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for fixed income
Honolulu County, Hawaii is one of the stronger fixed-income options in Hawaii, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Compare retirement options in Hawaii
See how two counties or metros in Hawaii compare for affordability, healthcare, climate, air quality, and risk.
Compare PlacesExplore retirement profiles in Hawaii
Explore all metros in Hawaii
How to use the Hawaii page
Use this page to narrow Hawaii into a shorter county and metro list, then use compare pages when you are deciding between two realistic options. The overall score helps you spot strong candidates, but the category scores explain why a place works or does not.
Related retirement rankings
Best Places to Retire
Best Affordable Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire for Healthcare
Best Retirement Counties
Best Retirement Metros
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to retire in Hawaii?
The county and metro options for Hawaii appear above with category scores and links to compare related places.
What are the biggest retirement tradeoffs in Hawaii?
The biggest tradeoffs depend on the part of the state you are comparing, especially around cost, climate, healthcare access, and risk.
How to use this page
Use the county and metro links above to compare additional Hawaii retirement options.