Hawaii may boast beautiful weather and stunning landscapes, but it also has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Living in paradise comes at a high price and first-time homeowners have it especially hard.

Buying a first home is notoriously difficult in Hawaii, as it is nationally. First-timers, who typically fall within the millennial age range of 18 to 34, often have a number of factors standing in their way: Consumer and student loan debt, high rent, a lack of credit availability and a scarce inventory of affordable housing.

These factors aren't necessarily limited to millennial buyers. Many Hawaii residents struggle to make their first home purchase due to steep home prices and high cost of living. A 2017 Bankrate.com study ranked Hawaii the second-worst state for first-time homebuyers, citing that the average island resident pays 38.3% of their median annual income toward housing.