Kekaha, HI vs Lihue, HI

Kekaha is moderately more affordable than Lihue, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Kekaha scores 147 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.

On the housing front, median rent in Kekaha is $2,188/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lihue has cheaper rent, Kekaha actually has lower median home values ($516,800 vs $843,900).

Median household income in Kekaha is $73,011 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (-5.7%). Lihue 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 Kekaha spend roughly 36% 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.