Cost of things in Honolulu

I am frequently asked if it is expensive to live in Hawaii. My answer is yes. That's what happens when you live on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. To illustrate how much things cost in Honolulu, I have put together a list of different things I have purchased or taken note of.


Housing
As of March 1, 2009, median home price in Honolulu is $610,000. It is the highest in the nation. The most expensive part of home ownership is buying the land. Oceanfront and most mountain ridges are usually the costliest properties.


Gasoline - April 15, 2009
1 US Gallon of premium unleaded gasoline: $2.55


Grocery prices - April 16, 2009

Produce
Orange Juice $5/gallon
Tomatoes $4/pound
Pineapple .50/pound
Iceberg Lettuce $2/pound
12 oz. bag of prewashed lettuce $4


Snacks
1 box granola bars $4
12 pack Heinekens $15
24 pack Budweiser beer $20
Box of Triscuit crackers $4.50
Pepperidge Farm cookies $5
Large bag of potato chips $5
Dry roasted almonds $10

Miscellaneous grocery
5 oz. can tuna fish $2.60
Jar of spaghetti sauce $4.50
Can of Progresso soup $4
Premium rice $8 for 5 pounds
Life cereal $7.50
Fancy feast cat food .90/can
1 loaf rye bread $5
Frozen pizza $5.50

Dairy
Butter $5/pound
18 large eggs $4
1.5 quart ice cream $6
Milk $5/Gallon
Small cheesecake from bakery $7

Meat & Deli
Chicken breast $8/pound
NY Strip Steak $10/pound
Whole chicken $2/pound
Tilapia fish $6/pound
Poke (a raw fish and spice dish) $14/pound
Smoked marlin filet $16/pound
Mahi mahi filet $13/pound
Bacon $6/pound
Turkey deli meat $9/pound
Ham deli meat $6/pound
Swiss cheese $10/pound