Hawi, HI vs Paauilo, HI

The cost of living difference between Hawi, HI and Paauilo, HI is dramatic. Paauilo is 47.5% cheaper than Hawi, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hawi has a cost index of 150 while Paauilo sits at 102, 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 Hawi is $1,898/month compared to $1,117/month in Paauilo — a 70% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Paauilo is more affordable at $361,100 median vs $662,500.

Median household income in Hawi is $85,197 compared to $65,750 in Paauilo (+29.6%). The higher salaries in Hawi partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawi spend roughly 26.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Paauilo.