Best State to Live In Comparison
Quality of Life

California vs Hawaii: Best State to Live In

California scores higher as a state to live in Hawaii.

California flag
California
CA • West
Winner
50.49
Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.
Hawaii flag
Hawaii
HI • West
49.38
Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.

Visual Comparison

California 50.49
Hawaii 49.38

Difference: 1.11 points — California leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for best state to live in.

California #32 · 50.49
Hawaii #35 · 49.38
Lowest Highest

Top 10 States — Best State to Live In

#1 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
60.23
#2 Idaho flag Idaho
60.19
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
59.81
#4 Wisconsin flag Wisconsin
59.66
#5 Minnesota flag Minnesota
58.69
#6 Florida flag Florida
58.51
#7 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
58.21
#8 New York flag New York
57.94
#9 Utah flag Utah
57.94
#10 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
57.90
Selected states
#32 California flag California
50.49
#35 Hawaii flag Hawaii
49.38

California ranks 32nd and Hawaii ranks 35th nationally for best state to live in.

What This Means

California vs Hawaii: Best State to Live In in context

California has a best state to live in of 50.49, compared with 49.38 in Hawaii. Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.

California
50.49
Hawaii
49.38
Difference
1.11 points

People Also Ask

California vs Hawaii Best State to Live In — Common Questions

Q What is California's best state to live in?

California's best state to live in is 50.49.

Q What is Hawaii's best state to live in?

Hawaii's best state to live in is 49.38.

Q Which state has a higher best state to live in — California or Hawaii?

California scores higher as a state to live in Hawaii.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.