[2023 PICKS] The 15 Cheapest places to Stay in Oahu [BEST AREAS ONLY] (2023)

FAQs

What is the cheapest area to stay in Hawaii? ›

Basically, when it comes to lodging, the Big Island and Oahu are very close. Vacation rentals are slightly less expensive on the Big Island and hotels are slightly less expensive on Oahu.

Waianae is the cheapest place to live in Oahu. This small town is located on the island's eastern coast and is home to an abundance of outdoor activities and authentic local cuisine. Local attractions here include the Waianae Mountain Range, Kahumana Organic Farms & Cafe, and Pokai Bay Beach Park.

The famous Waikiki Beach is also on the outskirts of Honolulu, and Waikiki is by far the most popular neighborhood.

What's the most affordable Hawaiian island to live on? The Big Island. With Hawaii's lowest average cost of living (according to MIT's Living Wage project), lowest fair market rents, and lowest typical yearly expenses, the Big Island can be the most economical island in Hawaii.

When is the cheapest time to go to Hawaii? The cheapest month to fly to Honolulu is during February. The cheapest accommodation deals can be found during April.

Some of the best neighborhoods in Oahu are on the Leeward side such as Kapolei, Makakilo, Ewa Beach, and Ko Olina. The areas have seen an explosion of construction both residential and also commercial. The roads have some of the better civil engineering around with many ways in, around, and for parking.

1. Kahala. One of Oahu's most prestigious neighborhoods is Kahala. Kahala real estate, located just east of Diamond Head, is some of the most exclusive on Oahu, with vast, tree-lined streets and a plethora of multimillion-dollar luxury houses.

In fact, Oahu is the cheapest of the Hawaiian islands for lodging, coming in behind both the Big Island and Kauai. Add to this its lower costs for food and transportation, and Oahu becomes a much more affordable option than Maui.

Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by the thousands daily.

Where can I avoid crowds in Hawaii? ›

In the 2021 visitor count by Hawaiian Island graph below, you can see that Oahu receives far more visitors than the other islands. If you're looking to beat the crowds, head to Kauai or the Big Island.

April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's "low seasons," and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.

LANAI ISLAND - THE PLACE TO RELAX Lanai entices the sophisticated traveller with a handful of exclusive luxury resorts and championship golf courses. It's the least visited Hawaiian Island, small in size and slow in pace those that travel to Lanai, by air or on the ferry from Maui, are forced to rest and relax.

Among the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is known as the Friendly Isle, and those who live there would consider it the best island to live on by far. With many longtime families and few visitors living on remote Molokai, it is one of the most secluded Hawaiian Islands.

Tuvalu stands out among other islands as it is the least visited country in the world. Yearly visitors only amount to less than 2,000 and many are from nearby countries which include Australia and New Zealand.

Palawan, Crowned as One of the World's "Most Desirable Islands" It is no longer a secret that the Philippines is considered a paradise.

Mexico is a much more affordable destination than Hawaii, from the plane tickets to the food. Your money will go further there, and that means you can stay much longer in Mexico too. The best part about Mexico is that their cheaper price doesn't affect the quality of your stay.

Low season (April to mid-June; September to mid-December)

Interestingly enough, fall and spring are Hawaii's lowest travel seasons. April to the middle of June, and then again from September until the middle of December. There are two exceptions— the final week of April or Golden Week and the week of Thanksgiving.

The average cost of a one week trip to Hawaii is $4000. Accommodation in Hawaii is the most expensive cost at an average of $275/night. Flights range from $500-$1000 roundtrip, and the average food and drink cost is almost $100/day.

What part of Oahu is most walkable? ›

Waikiki has an extremely high Walk Score of 90 out of 100, making it one of the most walkable cities in all of the Aloha State (and one of the top 5 most walkable neighborhoods in Oahu itself).

1: Haleiwa, Oahu

Oahu's most beautiful small town is a place worth visiting. Located along the northern shore of Oahu, Haleiwa is home to the beautiful Waialua Bay. This beach is popular for surfers because of its big barrels, but it also has plenty of sun, sandy shores, and cultural activities for everyone else.

POOREST CENSUS TRACTS

The Linapuni Street Census tract in Kalihi had the highest concentration of poverty in the state, with 69 percent of residents living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, 57 percent of residents in the Mayor Wright Housing census tract lived in poverty, the second-highest concentration.

Among the 10 places in Hawaii with available data and populations of at least 25,000, Hilo ranks as the poorest. The typical Hilo household earns $65,727 a year, compared to the statewide median household income of $83,173.

The North Shore is quiet and laid back. There are fewer people here. Turtle Bay is a small, beautiful resort and a great way to get away from everything.

To live comfortably in Hawaii, an annual income of around $70,000 to $100,000 for a single person, or $120,000 to $200,000 for a family is recommended. Is it expensive to live in Hawaii? Yes, Hawaii is known for its high cost of living due to factors such as housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation.

Generally, the cost of things in Hawaii is 30% more than on the mainland. Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. while California ranks third. When you compare the cost of living in Hawaii and that of California, you will likely find that Hawaii's cost of living is considerably higher.

Kauai is the winner

In our opinion, Kauai takes the throne as the prettiest Hawaiian island. It has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do.

With its jagged cliffs, lush valleys, and paradisiacal beaches, Kauai is truly heaven on earth and is our top pick for the most beautiful island in Hawaii. While it would be impossible to squeeze in everything that makes Kauai so special, we have narrowed it down to the top 3 must-see destinations in Kauai.

Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii

Kalakaua Avenue is located alongside Waikiki beach with stunning views of Diamond Head. With it's overhead palm trees and location next to a world famous beach, it's no wonder it attracts approximately 85,000 visitors daily.

Which Hawaiian island is best without a car? ›

Generally speaking, the best Hawaiian island to visit without a car is Oahu. This is because the bus system goes throughout much of the island and it's convenient enough to take the Oahu bus to different places, and there's also a bus from the Honolulu airport.

Molokai. The most local of the main Hawaiian Islands, Molokai also receives far fewer visitors than the other islands and will have the least touristy feel.

Waimanalo Beach

this laid-back windward beach is located near the eastern end of the island. The sand is very fine, and it has the same views as its famous neighbors Lanikai and Kailua Beach, without the traffic you have to deal with! It is almost never crowded and the beach is huuuge!

Molokai is the least visited island of Hawaii. With about 65,000 visitors, the island attracts only a fraction of all the tourists that visit the island group each year. The island is more rural and doesn't have resorts. Molokai is most definitely a destination off the beaten path.

If it's your first trip to Hawaii

Chances are, the Big Island of Hawaii has everything you're looking for. But depending on what you want to do, one of the other islands accessible from the mainland — Maui, Oahu or Kauai — could be a better fit.

How many days are enough in Hawaii? While you might never want to leave Hawaii, usually people plan to stay 7-10 days during their vacation to Hawaii. That gives enough time to get over jet lag, participate in a few scheduled activities, explore the Hawaiian island a bit, and have time to relax and unwind.

Cheapest Time of the Year to Go to Hawaii

Spring low season is late April to early June. The fall low season is September to early December, excluding Thanksgiving. Look in those months for the best fare prices to Hawaii. January and February are also the cheapest ticket prices based on Skyscanner data.

While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated.

The island first earned its “forbidden” status in the 1930s, when the Robinsons completely cut off visits to Niihau to protect inhabitants from new diseases, including measles and, later, polio.

Maui in a Nutshell

It has beautiful beaches, gorgeous resorts, the best whale watching, and fewer tourists, compared to Oahu. It is a bit more relaxing and a lot slower, and the people who visit enjoy that pace. It's the second most visited Hawaiian island after Oahu.

Is Maui less touristy than Oahu? ›

On one hand, Oahu is the most crowded of the two and boasts a happening tourist scene. Since it's geared toward tourists, it has more touristy attractions to try. Maui has a more laid-back vibe, perfect for those who like to laze around in paradise.

If you're just looking at the sheer number of incidents on each island, Kauai is the safest island to live on.

Hilo, Big Island

Hilo tops this list as the best place to retire in Hawaii for its reasonable cost of living and relaxing lifestyle. In fact, it's much cheaper than the more popular cities in Hawaii. The cost-of-living index is 18% less expensive than the state average, according to AreaVibes.

In fact, Oahu is the cheapest of the Hawaiian islands for lodging, coming in behind both the Big Island and Kauai. Add to this its lower costs for food and transportation, and Oahu becomes a much more affordable option than Maui.

The Cost. Even though it's often called “the playground of the rich”, Maui isn't only accessible to a few. However, it's true that generally speaking Kauai is a bit cheaper.

If you're looking to hole up at your hotel for the entire vacation, pick Maui and its sprawling oceanfront resorts. But if you're looking for adventure, to really experience the Hawaiian Islands and make the most of your well-earned vacation, Oʻahu should be your choice.

The average per-person cost for a Hawaii vacation is about $4000 for a one-week trip. This includes $1000 for flights, $2000 for accommodation, $550 for meals, $250 for a rental car, and $300 for tours and activities.

Between mid-March and early-April 2023. This can also be one of the highest-priced times of year to visit Hawaii.

Maui vs Oahu: Oahu is right for you if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you're looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.

Travelers from the mainland U.S. can score a deal to either Oahu or Maui. At the time of writing, flights to Maui are running a bit cheaper than Oahu.

Which is the most beautiful island in Hawaii? ›

With its jagged cliffs, lush valleys, and paradisiacal beaches, Kauai is truly heaven on earth and is our top pick for the most beautiful island in Hawaii. While it would be impossible to squeeze in everything that makes Kauai so special, we have narrowed it down to the top 3 must-see destinations in Kauai.

Lanai Island In Hawaii

The next on this list of world's most expensive island is located in Hawaiian. Lanai Island is quite popular all around the world as it is the sixth-largest island in Hawaii. Lanai Island is the most costliest island in the world.

Maui Accommodations & Rates

If you're looking for the best deals on accommodations, spring and fall are the cheapest months to visit the island because demand is down. This means the island is less crowded as well, which is another benefit of visiting during these months. Our personal preference is April - May.

At least five days on Oahu is best if you want to spend some days at the beach, hike and explore different coasts of the island. With 7 days on Oahu, you can really slow down and explore a variety of activities around the island. Visiting Maui, too?

Molokai is the least visited island of Hawaii. With about 65,000 visitors, the island attracts only a fraction of all the tourists that visit the island group each year. The island is more rural and doesn't have resorts. Molokai is most definitely a destination off the beaten path.

In 2021 the same trip cost $8,914. The price increased 37 percent in 2022 to $12,239 as demand for Hawaii vacations surged once travel restrictions ended. How does the cost of a Hawaii vacation measure up in 2023? A 10-day trip to Hawaii in June 2023 for a family of four is quoted to cost $13,493.