Eleele, HI vs Wailea, HI

The cost of living difference between Eleele, HI and Wailea, HI is dramatic. Eleele is 39.7% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Eleele has a cost index of 136 while Wailea sits at 225, 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 Eleele is $1,348/month compared to $2,485/month in Wailea — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Eleele is more affordable at $684,900 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Eleele is $122,308 compared to $89,375 in Wailea (+36.8%). Eleele offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Eleele spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Wailea. The Eleele ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.