GDP
Hawaii’s economy generated roughly $109 billion in 2023, dominated by tourism, federal defence spending and real estate.
Real GDP (chained 2017 dollars)
1997–2025BEA, chained 2017 dollars (FRED HIRGSP).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (USD B) | 109 | 29200 |
- •Tourism accounts for roughly a fifth of Hawaii’s economy.
- •Military spending makes Hawaii one of the most defence-dependent state economies.
GDP Growth
Hawaii's economy grew about 1.5% in real terms in 2023, trailing the national growth rate.
Real GDP growth
1998–2025Annual % change in BEA real GDP (HIRGSP).
- •Hawaii's economy is more dependent on tourism than any other U.S. state, making it especially sensitive to travel trends.
Personal Income
Hawaii's per capita personal income is about $65,300, ranking near the middle of all states.
Per capita personal income
1970–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED HIPCPI).
- •Hawaii's wages often fail to keep pace with its cost of living, a gap often called the 'aloha tax'.
Median Household Income
Median household income in Hawaii is about $95,322, among the highest in the country, but the extreme cost of living erases most of that advantage.
Median household income (CPS)
1984–2025Census CPS ASEC, current dollars (FRED MEHOINUSHIA646N).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income (USD) | 95322 | 78538 |
Poverty Rate
Hawaii's poverty rate of 9.6% is among the lowest in the nation, despite the islands' high cost of living.
Poverty rate, all ages (SAIPE)
1989–2024Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (FRED PPAAHI15000A156NCEN).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.6 | 12.5 |
- •Hawaii has one of the lowest official poverty rates in the U.S., but a much higher share of residents fall short of a realistic self-sufficiency income.
Inflation
Honolulu-area consumer prices rose about 3.4% year over year, with shipping costs feeding into food and fuel.
CPI inflation, U.S.
2007–2024BLS CPI-U U.S. city average, annual average change (CPIAUCNS).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation (%) | 3.4 | 2.9 |
Economic Output
Hawaii's economy is anchored by tourism and defense spending rather than goods exports, with about $1.0 billion in annual exports.
Nominal GDP (current dollars)
1997–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED HINGSP).
- •Tourism and military spending together account for a large share of Hawaii's economic activity.
Industry Breakdown
Government and real estate are the two largest sectors of Hawaii's economy, followed closely by tourism-related leisure and hospitality.
Government jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED HIGOVT).
Manufacturing jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED HIMFG).
- •The U.S. military is one of Hawaii's largest employers, with major bases including Pearl Harbor-Hickam.