Kaneohe Base, HI vs Kihei, HI

Kaneohe Base, HI and Kihei, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Kaneohe Base scores 174 while Kihei scores 170 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 Kaneohe Base is $3,399/month compared to $2,021/month in Kihei — a 68% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kihei has cheaper rent, Kaneohe Base actually has lower median home values ($390,600 vs $871,600).

Median household income in Kaneohe Base is $70,000 compared to $87,568 in Kihei (-20.1%). Kihei offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kaneohe Base spend roughly 58.3% of their income on rent, more than the 27.7% in Kihei. The Kihei ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.