Ewa Beach, HI vs Lihue, HI

Ewa Beach, HI and Lihue, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Ewa Beach scores 174 while Lihue scores 168 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ewa Beach is $2,554/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lihue has cheaper rent, Ewa Beach actually has lower median home values ($698,200 vs $843,900).

Median household income in Ewa Beach is $124,958 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+61.4%). While Ewa Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ewa Beach spend roughly 24.5% of their income on rent, less than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Ewa Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.