Kahului, HI vs Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI

Kahului, HI and Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Kahului scores 151 while Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) scores 154 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 Kahului is $1,473/month compared to $2,039/month in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kahului has cheaper rent, Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) actually has lower median home values ($652,900 vs $833,200).

Median household income in Kahului is $92,062 compared to $89,268 in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) (+3.1%). Kahului offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kahului spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 27.4% in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County).