Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI vs Lihue, HI

Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is moderately more affordable than Lihue, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) scores 145 compared to 168 for Lihue, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lihue can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is $1,747/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is more affordable at $649,400 median vs $843,900.

Median household income in Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is $86,743 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+12%). Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.