City comparison
No. Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 57 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,823 in Honolulu.
Safety is where Philadelphia and Honolulu split most clearly. Honolulu scores 181 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,823 in Honolulu.
Honolulu is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Honolulu is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Honolulu are 4,912 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,823 a month in Honolulu, up $426 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $86,504 in Honolulu, up $24,551 (40%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 80 in Honolulu, down 181 points (69%).
The move
Honolulu and Philadelphia are 4,912 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,823 a month in Honolulu to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $426 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $86,504 in Honolulu to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $24,551 (28%).
The crime index goes from 80 in Honolulu to 261 in Philadelphia, up 181 points (226%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Honolulu, HI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and Honolulu? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 23% cheaper than Honolulu
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Honolulu
$1,823/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,823 in Honolulu, so Philadelphia is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $426/month back in your pocket ($5,112/year). Over five years that's $25,560 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Honolulu, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Honolulu? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
40% higher
Honolulu's median income is 40% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Honolulu
Winner$86,504
Median household income is $86,504 in Honolulu versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 40% higher in Honolulu (about $24,551 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Honolulu is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
69% lower crime
Honolulu's crime index is 69% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Honolulu
Winner80 (100 = avg)
Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% lower in Honolulu. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Honolulu is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Honolulu weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Honolulu
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Honolulu averages about 77°F (82°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Honolulu sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Honolulu scores 45% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 40% higher ($86,504), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Honolulu is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 69% lower than Philadelphia (80 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Honolulu: Honolulu scores 67/100 versus 31/100 in Philadelphia, with typical rent at $1,823 versus $1,397. I would vet the exact ZIP in Philadelphia before trading 36 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (67/100 in Honolulu vs 31/100 in Philadelphia), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $86,504 in Honolulu versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
If safety drives your move, Honolulu is the stronger match (67/100 safety versus 31/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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