Kapolei, HI vs Lihue, HI

Kapolei, HI and Lihue, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Kapolei scores 174 while Lihue scores 168 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 Kapolei is $2,507/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lihue has cheaper rent, Kapolei actually has lower median home values ($720,600 vs $843,900).

Median household income in Kapolei is $129,260 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+67%). While Kapolei is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kapolei spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, less than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Kapolei ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.