Kihei, HI vs Waipahu, HI

Waipahu is moderately more affordable than Kihei, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Kihei scores 170 compared to 156 for Waipahu, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kihei can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kihei is $2,021/month compared to $1,585/month in Waipahu — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waipahu is more affordable at $835,400 median vs $871,600.

Median household income in Kihei is $87,568 compared to $98,633 in Waipahu (-11.2%). Waipahu offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kihei spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in Waipahu.