Hawaii Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax in Hawaii. The HI state sales tax rate is 4%. Add local rates for your total sales tax. Free calculator with instant results.
Hawaii at a Glance
$850,000
Median Home Price
0.28%
Property Tax Rate
$1,800
Avg Home Insurance
$1,149,825
FHA Loan Limit
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Reviewed & Methodology
Every calculator is built using industry-standard formulas, validated against authoritative sources, and reviewed by a credentialed financial professional. State-specific data is sourced from official government publications.
Sales Tax Calculator in Hawaii
The median home price in Hawaii is $850,000, which is 102% above the national average of $420,000. Hawaii's effective property tax rate of 0.28% is 0.82 percentage points lower than the national average of 1.1%.
| Metric | Hawaii (HI) | National Avg | vs National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $850,000 | $420,000 | +102% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.28% | 1.1% | -0.82% |
| Home Insurance (Annual) | $1,800 | $2,300 | -22% |
| State Sales Tax | 4% | 5% | -1.0% |
| FHA Loan Limit | $1,149,825 | $472,030 | Higher |
| Conforming Loan Limit | $1,149,825 | $766,550 | Higher |
Hawaii offers a homestead exemption of $120,000, which reduces the taxable value of your primary residence. The state uses an assessment ratio of 100% to determine the assessed value for property tax purposes.
Homeownership in Hawaii
Hawaii has the highest median home price of any state at approximately $850,000 statewide, with Honolulu single-family homes often exceeding $1 million and Maui prices spiking dramatically after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. Despite these sky-high prices, Hawaii has the lowest effective property tax rate in the nation at 0.28% -- a legacy of policies designed to keep residents from being taxed out of inherited family land. The state's high cost of living extends well beyond housing to groceries, utilities, and everyday goods.
Tips for Hawaii Homebuyers and Homeowners
- Hawaii's 0.28% property tax rate is the lowest in the country -- on a $850,000 home, annual taxes are roughly $2,380, which partially offsets the sticker shock of purchase prices.
- The Homestead Exemption for owner-occupants is $120,000 off assessed value for those under 65 and up to $200,000 for those 70+, providing meaningful relief.
- Leasehold properties -- where you own the structure but lease the land -- are common on Oahu and can be significantly cheaper upfront but carry land lease renewal risk every 55-65 years.
- Hawaii has a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% that applies broadly -- contractors pass this through on renovation and repair work, adding 4% to every home improvement project.
Hawaii Programs and Assistance
- Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) Hula Mae Program -- provides below-market rate mortgages for first-time buyers at income limits set by county.
- Hawaii HomeOwnership Center -- offers HUD-approved counseling and connects buyers to down payment assistance programs including federal and county-level grants.
- Oahu's Affordable Resale Program -- HHFDC-managed affordable homes sold at below-market prices with deed restrictions; resale also restricted to maintain affordability.
Did you know? Hawaii has the lowest property tax rate in the United States at 0.28%, but also the highest median home price -- the combination means effective annual taxes are low in dollar terms even on million-dollar properties.