Kekaha, HI vs Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI

Kekaha, HI and Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Kekaha scores 147 while Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) scores 154 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 Kekaha is $2,188/month compared to $2,039/month in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) has cheaper rent, Kekaha actually has lower median home values ($516,800 vs $652,900).

Median household income in Kekaha is $73,011 compared to $89,268 in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) (-18.2%). While Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) 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 27.4% in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County). The Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.