By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Consumer prices in Urban Hawaiʻi rose 5.2% in the 12 months ending September 2026, compared with 3.7% for the U.S. city average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October 14, 2026 release. Energy led the increase at 20.9%, with gasoline up 21.6%. Food rose 3.9% and rent of primary residence rose 5.4%.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. If you’re budgeting a move, Hawaiʻi inflation is running well ahead of the national rate this year, and it affects more than the price of a home. Here’s what BLS’s latest numbers show, as of the September 2026 index, and how I’d factor them into a Maui budget.

How high is inflation in Hawaiʻi right now?

Prices in Urban Hawaiʻi were 5.2% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, per BLS. The national figure for the same month was 3.7%. Excluding food and energy, Hawaiʻi prices rose 4.5%.

One caveat: BLS’s Hawaiʻi index is based on prices in the Urban Honolulu area. There’s no separate Maui index, so treat it as a statewide signal rather than an exact Maui number.

Category (12 months ending Sept. 2026)	Urban Hawaiʻi change
All items	5.2%
All items less food and energy	4.5%
Energy	20.9%
Gasoline (all types)	21.6%
Food at home	4.1%
Food away from home	3.5%
Shelter	4.2%
Rent of primary residence	5.4%
Medical care	6.1%
Recreation	9.8%
New and used motor vehicles	-2.6%
Household furnishings and operations	-0.4%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, Urban Hawaiʻi, September 2026.

Why are Hawaiʻi prices rising faster than the national average?

Energy is the biggest driver. Energy prices rose 20.9% over the year and gasoline 21.6%. In its fall forecast, published September 25, 2026, the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) pointed to oil prices, noting spot Brent crude had climbed back above $120 a barrel, and said shelter and energy were major contributors to local inflation.

Fruits and vegetables also stood out, up 9.7%, while new and used vehicles were slightly cheaper than a year ago.

What does 5.2% inflation mean for a Maui budget?

It means last year’s cost-of-living numbers are probably low. As a simple illustration, a household that spent $1,000 a month on groceries in September 2025 would be spending about $1,041 for the same basket if its prices tracked the food-at-home index. A $3,000 monthly rent rising with the rent index would be about $3,162.

Energy is where I’d budget most carefully. Electricity, gasoline and, for some homes, propane can swing a monthly budget more than almost anything else. My post on Hawaiʻi Energy rebates in 2026 covers programs that can help lower electric bills, and my cost of living on Maui guide has a broader breakdown.

Is inflation expected to ease?

UHERO’s September 2026 forecast expects Hawaiʻi inflation to average 4.8% in 2026 and ease to 3.3% in 2027, then move toward a long-run 2.5% path by the end of the decade. That’s a forecast, not a certainty; it depends heavily on oil prices and interest rates. BLS is scheduled to release the November 2026 Hawaiʻi index on December 10, 2026.

How does inflation connect to mortgage rates and home prices?

Higher inflation tends to keep pressure on interest rates. Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rate was 7.32% for the week of October 22, 2026, and the Federal Reserve’s next decision is due October 28. On the price side, the REALTORS® Association of Maui reported a September 2026 single-family median of $1,150,000, down 11% from a year earlier, and a condo median of $660,000. So while everyday costs are rising, purchase prices in some Maui segments have softened.

My Take: What I’m Telling People Moving to Maui

Build your budget from current prices and add a cushion, especially for energy and transportation. When I compare homes for a buyer, I look at the total monthly cost of living there: mortgage, association dues, insurance, electricity and commuting, not just the price.

On energy, I generally look at the overall cost and do a cost-benefit analysis. For many buyers, the math on alternative power sources doesn’t make sense, but for some, solar and batteries with state incentives, including Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit, can make sense over the long term. With energy prices up more than 20% in a year, it’s worth running those numbers on any home you’re serious about. My post on Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit explains how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the inflation rate in Hawaiʻi?

5.2% for the 12 months ending September 2026, for Urban Hawaiʻi, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is Hawaiʻi inflation higher than the U.S.?

Yes. The U.S. city average was 3.7% for the same period.

Is there a separate inflation rate for Maui?

No. BLS publishes a Hawaiʻi index based on Urban Honolulu prices; there’s no Maui-only index.

What’s driving Hawaiʻi inflation in 2026?

Energy rose 20.9% and gasoline 21.6% over the year, per BLS. Shelter rose 4.2%.

When is the next Hawaiʻi CPI release?

BLS has scheduled the November 2026 index for December 10, 2026.

Ask Benjamin

Planning a move and trying to pin down a realistic monthly budget? I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to help you compare the full monthly cost of homes in different parts of Maui. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, Urban Hawaiʻi, September 2026 (released Oct. 14, 2026) and CPI Table 4, selected areas, September 2026; UHERO State Forecast (Sept. 25, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (Oct. 22, 2026); REALTORS® Association of Maui, September 2026 report.