Civil Beat Categories

Cost of Living

Living Hawaii: Why Aren’t Renters Getting More Tax Relief? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Living Hawaii: Why Aren’t Renters Getting More Tax Relief?

As rents have skyrocketed, a state tax credit to help low-income people has been stuck at $50 per dependent for nearly 35 years. Now, some want to boost the credit and extend it to the middle class.

Living Hawaii: Where Real Estate Is King Flickr.com: M. Shawn Hennessy

Living Hawaii: Where Real Estate Is King

A key driver of our cost of living is the high price of land. A collision of interests and actions push its value upward.

Living Hawaii: Going Mobile — Could Life on the Road Help Reduce the Price of Paradise? David Zyxoma

Living Hawaii: Going Mobile — Could Life on the Road Help Reduce the Price of Paradise?

There’s little that’s more American than hitting the road — and it’s become a way for people to reduce their cost of living.

Living Hawaii: The Little Solution to the Big Housing Crisis

Living Hawaii: The Little Solution to the Big Housing Crisis

On islands where real estate is so precious, how small do we need to think to bring down the cost of living?

Living Hawaii: One Remedy for Out-of-Control Rents

Living Hawaii: One Remedy for Out-of-Control Rents

Many factors conspiring to create Hawaii’s housing crisis inspired the implementation of rent stabilization elsewhere. Could rent control help with our high cost of living?

Living Hawaii: Where the Rent Is Too Damn High Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Living Hawaii: Where the Rent Is Too Damn High

Islanders pay far more on average than in any other state to live in rentals — and that’s just the beginning.

Living Hawaii: You Might Be Surprised at Who Else Is Snagged by High Costs Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Living Hawaii: You Might Be Surprised at Who Else Is Snagged by High Costs

When Duke Aiona campaigned for governor against the state’s high cost of living, he was speaking from personal experience.

Living Hawaii: One Big Reason We Spend So Much? Eric Pape/Civil Beat

Living Hawaii: One Big Reason We Spend So Much?

Cars, fancy phones, private schools: We make choices that add a great deal to our cost of living and undermine our future.

Living Hawaii: Where Are You, Trader Joe’s? Slobo Mitic/Getty Images

Living Hawaii: Where Are You, Trader Joe’s?

The popular affordable-food chain seems like a no-brainer for Hawaii and our high cost of living.

Living Hawaii: Is the Price of Paradise Getting You Down? PF Bentley/Civil Beat

Living Hawaii: Is the Price of Paradise Getting You Down?

The cost of living and our declining work environment are undermining the state’s sense of well-being.