Kilauea, HI vs Lihue, HI

Kilauea, HI and Lihue, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Kilauea scores 165 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 Kilauea is $1,453/month compared to $1,989/month in Lihue — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kilauea has cheaper rent, Lihue actually has lower median home values ($843,900 vs $1,011,000).

Median household income in Kilauea is $86,382 compared to $77,420 in Lihue (+11.6%). Kilauea offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kilauea spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 30.8% in Lihue. The Kilauea ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.