Honokaa, HI vs Wailea, HI

The cost of living difference between Honokaa, HI and Wailea, HI is dramatic. Honokaa is 47.3% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Honokaa has a cost index of 118 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 Honokaa is $1,145/month compared to $2,485/month in Wailea — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Honokaa is more affordable at $551,800 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Honokaa is $85,556 compared to $89,375 in Wailea (-4.3%). Wailea does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Honokaa spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Wailea. The Honokaa ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.