Kapaa, HI vs Kaunakakai, HI

The cost of living difference between Kapaa, HI and Kaunakakai, HI is dramatic. Kaunakakai is 80% cheaper than Kapaa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kapaa has a cost index of 166 while Kaunakakai sits at 92, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kapaa is $1,997/month compared to $905/month in Kaunakakai — a 121% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kaunakakai is more affordable at $335,200 median vs $821,500.

Median household income in Kapaa is $89,440 compared to $76,944 in Kaunakakai (+16.2%). Kapaa does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Kapaa spend roughly 26.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Kaunakakai.