Population Density Comparison
Demographics

California vs Hawaii: Population Density

California is more densely populated than Hawaii.

California flag
California
CA • West
Winner
241.5 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.
Hawaii flag
Hawaii
HI • West
133.1 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.

Visual Comparison

California 241.5 per sq mi
Hawaii 133.1 per sq mi

Difference: 108.4 per sq mi — California leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for population density.

California #11 · 241.5 per sq mi
Hawaii #20 · 133.1 per sq mi
Lowest Highest

Top 10 States — Population Density

#1 New Jersey flag New Jersey
1,064.9 per sq mi
#2 Rhode Island flag Rhode Island
710.3 per sq mi
#3 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
666.1 per sq mi
#4 Connecticut flag Connecticut
650.5 per sq mi
#5 Maryland flag Maryland
497.9 per sq mi
#6 Delaware flag Delaware
397.7 per sq mi
#7 New York flag New York
370.3 per sq mi
#8 Florida flag Florida
327.5 per sq mi
#9 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
282.3 per sq mi
#10 Ohio flag Ohio
263.2 per sq mi
Selected states
#11 California flag California
241.5 per sq mi
#20 Hawaii flag Hawaii
133.1 per sq mi

California ranks 11th and Hawaii ranks 20th nationally for population density.

Related Context

Density in Context

Population density shapes commutes, housing costs, and the feel of daily life.

Metric
California
Hawaii
Population
39,538,223
1,455,271
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
10,932 sq mi
Median Home Value
$693,700
$814,500
Violent Crime / 100k
499.5
242.5
Cost of Living Index
138.5
186.8

What This Means

California vs Hawaii: Population Density in context

California has a population density of 241.5 per sq mi, compared with 133.1 per sq mi in Hawaii, a gap of 81.4%. Number of residents per square mile.

California
241.5 per sq mi
Hawaii
133.1 per sq mi
Difference
108.4 per sq mi

People Also Ask

California vs Hawaii Population Density — Common Questions

Q What is California's population density?

California's population density is 241.5 per sq mi.

Q What is Hawaii's population density?

Hawaii's population density is 133.1 per sq mi.

Q Which state has a higher population density — California or Hawaii?

California is more densely populated than Hawaii.

Q How much more population density does California have compared to Hawaii?

108.4 per sq mi.

More Comparisons: California vs Hawaii

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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.