Kaaawa, HI vs Waikapu, HI

Kaaawa is moderately more affordable than Waikapu, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Kaaawa scores 175 compared to 188 for Waikapu, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waikapu can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kaaawa is $1,871/month compared to $2,696/month in Waikapu — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kaaawa has cheaper rent, Waikapu actually has lower median home values ($837,700 vs $966,500).

Median household income in Kaaawa is $132,188 compared to $121,618 in Waikapu (+8.7%). Kaaawa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kaaawa spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, less than the 26.6% in Waikapu.