Laie, HI vs Waianae, HI

The cost of living difference between Laie, HI and Waianae, HI is dramatic. Waianae is 58.8% cheaper than Laie, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Laie has a cost index of 188 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 Laie is $2,375/month compared to $1,307/month in Waianae — a 82% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waianae is more affordable at $487,200 median vs $942,700.

Median household income in Laie is $119,219 compared to $84,766 in Waianae (+40.6%). The higher salaries in Laie partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Laie spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Waianae.