I mentioned Hawaii for a RE destination. DW said "$6.00 for a loaf of bread!". Really what are real costs?
12 pk Bud Light (priority)
Loaf of bread
Gallon of milk
Steaks
Chicken
1.5L mid range merlot?
veggies
ETC........
Coz
Sorry I'm late to the party. I do live on Oahu and here is how we handle the high prices of some of these items.
Bud or most beers - roughly $1/bottle or can - even for, say, Heineken (buy at Costco or on sale elsewhere.)
Loaf of bread - yeah, at the "store" it's maybe $6, but we buy at Love's bakery in the "day old" section and pay half that or less.
Milk is $5.50 at Costco
Never buy steak or chicken (except "out" - already cooked) It's expensive, even at Costco.
Don't buy wine, but Costco has $10 wines by the case.
Veggies are all by the pound and expensive even at Costco (but much less than at the grocery.)
Gas, right now at Costco is $3 vs $3.50 at the other stations.
Canned goods are mostly sold in 6 packs or 8 packs. $10.50 for 6 15 1/2 oz Dinty Moore. $9 for huge can (6lb, 12oz) of Stagg Chili.
Fresh blueberries - about $1/oz, but MUCH less frozen.
You learn what, when and where to buy and then food bill is only about 1/3 more than on mainland. If you insist on eating just as you did in Wichita or Cincinnati, you will be paying double if you just go to the store for everything.
In short, you learn to adapt. If it weren't for all the other stuff (especially housing - either rent or buy) Hawaii isn't that bad. Probably better than SanFran or even SanDiego - except the food part.
Retirees get fantastic breaks on taxes (big exemption on RE taxes which are already low, NO state tax on pension or SS, etc.)
We pay about $300/yr for car tags and about $500/yr for car insurance each.
Electricity is most expensive in US, but you don't need heat (and some - like us who can take advantage of the trade winds) do not need AC. Elec. bill is $80/mo.
First look at Hawaii and you think - no one could afford to live here. When you adapt, you find it's expensive but manageable - or else you go back to Wichita.