Kekaha, HI vs Makawao, HI

Kekaha is moderately more affordable than Makawao, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Kekaha scores 147 compared to 156 for Makawao, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Makawao 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 $1,699/month in Makawao — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Makawao has cheaper rent, Kekaha actually has lower median home values ($516,800 vs $819,600).

Median household income in Kekaha is $73,011 compared to $96,116 in Makawao (-24%). While Makawao is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kekaha spend roughly 36% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Makawao. The Makawao ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.