Kihei, HI vs Waianae, HI

The cost of living difference between Kihei, HI and Waianae, HI is dramatic. Waianae is 43.6% cheaper than Kihei, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kihei has a cost index of 170 while Waianae sits at 119, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kihei is $2,021/month compared to $1,307/month in Waianae — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waianae is more affordable at $487,200 median vs $871,600.

Median household income in Kihei is $87,568 compared to $84,766 in Waianae (+3.3%). Kihei 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 Kihei spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Waianae.