Aiea, HI vs Kahului, HI

The cost of living difference between Aiea, HI and Kahului, HI is dramatic. Kahului is 41.4% cheaper than Aiea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aiea has a cost index of 213 while Kahului sits at 151, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Aiea is $2,884/month compared to $1,473/month in Kahului — a 96% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kahului is more affordable at $833,200 median vs $1,053,000.

Median household income in Aiea is $135,286 compared to $92,062 in Kahului (+47%). While Aiea is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Aiea spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Kahului.