Honolulu among
the most expensive
cities for renters

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Star-Bulletin Staff

Honolulu ranks sixth most expensive among the nation's cities for what it costs to rent an apartment, according to a new survey by Wisconsin-based trend spotter Runzheimer International.

Runzheimer said, however, that what people pay for rent is not the only factor to consider when deciding where to live. Taxes, transportation, food, clothing, health care and recreation all play a part, the survey firm said.

Comparing rents for an 800-square-foot, three-room apartment with one bathroom, Runzheimer found San Jose, Calif., the most expensive at $18,384 a year, or $1,532 a month.

San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York followed, with Honolulu tailing them at $13,851 a year, or $1,154 a month. The lowest in the nation, the survey showed, was Casper, Wyo., at $4,892 a year, or $408 a month, nearly one-third of the Honolulu price.

"It is no surprise that larger metropolitan areas on the East and West Coasts are the priciest," said Patrick Morgan, a Runzheimer consultant.

The costs in the Runzheimer survey include insurance and utilities as well as the base rental rate.

Rental costs Annual cost for an 800-square-foot, three-bedroom, one bath apartment: 1. San Jose, Calif. $18,384 2. San Francisco $17,603 3. Boston $15,833 4. Wshngtn, D.C. $15,271 5. New York $14,405 6. Honolulu $13,851 Source: Runzheimer International