Kihei, HI vs Lihue, HI

Kihei, HI and Lihue, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Kihei scores 170 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 Kihei is $2,021/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lihue is more affordable at $843,900 median vs $871,600.

Median household income in Kihei is $87,568 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+13.1%). While Kihei is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kihei spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, less than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Kihei ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.