Saving for a Home in Hawaii Takes 29 Years—See How Long It Takes in Your State

by Teresa Mettela, Realtor.com, June 20, 2025 (excerpt)

… Hawaii tops the list as the least affordable state for aspiring homeowners. Here, aspiring homebuyers will need to work to save for a home—taking an average of 28 years and 10 months.

In 2023, the median home value soared to $846,400, and with just $489 left over each month after covering essential living expenses, residents are left with little room to save. The result? Hawaiians face the longest path to homeownership in the nation—a staggering financial hurdle that underscores the state’s growing affordability crisis.

California ranks second among the least affordable states for homebuyers in the Leave the Key Homebuyers study. With a median home price of $725,800 in 2023 and an average after-tax income of $69,140, residents are left with just $1,150 each month after covering essential expenses. At that pace, it would take more than a decade—10 years and 6 months—to save enough to afford a home in the Golden State.

"Hawaii and California are idyllic in many ways, offering buyers access to the sun and sea. However, these states struggle to provide affordable housing," says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®.

"High demand is met with low inventory, especially at affordable price points. Geographic limitations and zoning restriction impact how much housing can be built, which has resulted in a mismatch between incomes and home prices. These markets are highly desirable for high earners and second homebuyers, which means that local buyers must compete for housing, which drives prices higher."…

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