Kalaeloa, HI vs Lihue, HI

Kalaeloa is moderately more affordable than Lihue, with a 6.5% lower cost of living index. Kalaeloa scores 157 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.

Renters will find that Kalaeloa has a median rent of $3,068/month while Lihue comes in at $1,989/month, a 54% difference.

Median household income in Kalaeloa is $81,833 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+5.7%). Kalaeloa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kalaeloa spend roughly 45% of their income on rent, more than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Lihue ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.