The 8 Best Honolulu Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025

Affordable probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think of living in Honolulu. While the city’s draws are numerous — perpetually warm weather and Waikiki Beach in your backyard, hello?? — it’s often prohibitively expensive, even to lifelong locals. But, while Honoulu will likely never be a truly cheap city to live in, it can be more affordable than you’d think. So if work, study, family or just being fed-up with shoveling snow have led you to consider a move to Honolulu, here are eight affordable and safe neighborhoods to consider.

Downtown

Commuters will be happy to know that the bustling hub of Honolulu is also one of its most affordable places to live. With an average home price of $399,000, excellent public transit connections, urban convenience, and proximity to many Honolulu residents' workplaces, the Downtown area combines unprecedented convenience with affordability. It may not be the neighborhood for anyone who needs a lot of space, but for singles and couples looking for an affordable city home, Downtown is a great place to start your search. If schools are on the checklist, not to worry; there is a range of options, including high-ranking private and publich schoos from kindergarten to high school.

Kalihi-Palama

If you’re looking for a more affordable neighborhood in Honolulu’s urban core but still want the lush scenery that Hawaii is known for, look no further than Kalihi-Palama. This neighborhood offers larger homes, so if you’re a family looking to move into an affordable house with space to breathe, Kalihi might be one of your best options. Although it’s not Honolulu’s most slick or polished neighborhood, Kalihi-Malama is a place with real character and heart — not to mention wonderful rainforest views. Plus, the famous Liliha Bakery will be right around the corner for all your coco puff needs. If you want a taste of Hawaii that isn’t filtered through the lens of the tourism industry, Kalihi-Palama offers just that.

Makiki-Tantalus

Makiki can either be a fairly affordable neighborhood or a really expensive one. That depends on whether you’re just looking for a decent condo to rent or you’re going in for a huge hillside home with sweeping views of the green mountains that surround this neighborhood. But no matter where you are, those views are one of the biggest draws to this mixed-price Honolulu neighborhood. Makiki is definitely in commuting distance of the Honolulu metro area, but it’s really best for people who want to be a little closer to Hawaii’s natural beauty. Choose this neighborhood if you’re willing to give up a little convenience to get amazing views, a cooler microclimate, and plenty of natural beauty in exchange.

McCully-Mo’ili’ili

Buyers looking for a condo that won’t drain their life savings should head to McCully-Mo’ili’ili, an appealing neighborhood near some of the city’s best schools. This is far and away one of the best places to consider living in Honolulu if education is your priority and you’re able to get by with a condo rather than a full-sized family home. McCully-Mo’ili’ili isn’t fancy, and you shouldn’t expect ocean views and tourist amenities here. But it’s a safe, affordable neighborhood with a long local history and a lot of heart. If you’re looking not just to live in Hawaii but to truly get to know it, Mo’ili’ili perfectly balances that with convenience and affordability.

Nuuanu-Punchbowl

Looking for beautiful Hawaiian scenery and wide-open space at an attractive price? With a median home price of $687,000, Nuuanu falls right around the the Honolulu average, and it's set in a verdant volcanic valley not far from the conveniences of downtown. Though you may pay a bit more to live here than you would in other neighborhoods on this list, you'll find some of the most peaceful and scenic homes in Honolulu in this area. It is considered to be a safe neighborhood with tons of amenities, including 8 public schools rated good and higher by GreatSchools, as well as 3 private and charter schools.

Pawaa

If you're looking to buy a home, you may not find much to entice you in Pawaa; it's a densely-populated urban neigbhorhood known for its studio and one-bedroom apartments. But for minimlaists and single renters, this is one of the best places to settle in Honolulu. With an average home price of $547,764, you'll likely be able to find an apartment or townhome in Pawaa that falls well below the average in other neighborhoods. If you're not looking to purchase, Pawaa also has some of the city's lowest rents: the current average rent comes out to around $1,150, significantly lower than average for the area.

Salt Lake-Aliamanu

No, not the city in Utah: Salt Lake is a suburban Honolulu neighborhood that shares its name a nearby volcanic crater. It's a residential area with plenty of condos and townhomes, as well as mid-century single-family houses. Among the highlights of this safe and accessible neighborhood are several public parks and recreation facilities, a vibrant farmers market, and Salt Lake Shopping Center, as well as one of the most well-regarded high schools on Oahu, Moanalua High School. With an average home price of $467,000, it's an affordable option if you're willing to live slightly outside of the downtown core.

Waikiki

Would you believe that the most famous neighborhood in Honolulu is also one of the most affordable? It's true! With a median home price of $497,000, Waikiki falls well below the city's average. And, yes, you'll be getting much less space in crowded Waikiki for that price, but the views and amenities are unbeatable. Families will love being close to the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Kapiolani Bandstand and Waikiki Shell are a stone's throw away for all your entertainment needs. And then there's one of the world's most iconic beaches right at your doorstep. When you consider the added convenience of public transit connections and walkable amenities in Waikiki, living your tropical dreams might be more practical than you think!

Finding affordable areas to settle down in Honolulu takes work, research, and perhaps a little bit of compromise. Amazing view, short commute, affordable condo — pick two of the three. But if you’re willing to do a little digging, this one-of-a-kind city will start to reveal places you never would have thought to look. Keep at it, and you might just find yourself stepping outside to the evergreen warmth of Honolulu in less time, and for less money, than you might expect.