Kapaau, HI vs Waimanalo Beach, HI

Kapaau, HI and Waimanalo Beach, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Kapaau scores 131 while Waimanalo Beach scores 136 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 Kapaau is $1,497/month compared to $1,000/month in Waimanalo Beach — a 50% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waimanalo Beach has cheaper rent, Kapaau actually has lower median home values ($577,600 vs $816,500).

Median household income in Kapaau is $74,583 compared to $120,769 in Waimanalo Beach (-38.2%). While Waimanalo Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kapaau spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Waimanalo Beach.