Kilauea, HI vs Makawao, HI

Makawao is moderately more affordable than Kilauea, with a 5.9% lower cost of living index. Kilauea scores 165 compared to 156 for Makawao, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kilauea can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kilauea is $1,453/month compared to $1,699/month in Makawao — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kilauea has cheaper rent, Makawao actually has lower median home values ($819,600 vs $1,011,000).

Median household income in Kilauea is $86,382 compared to $96,116 in Makawao (-10.1%). Makawao 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 21.2% in Makawao.