Lihue, HI vs Makakilo, HI

Lihue, HI and Makakilo, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Lihue scores 168 while Makakilo scores 174 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 Lihue is $1,989/month compared to $2,202/month in Makakilo — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lihue has cheaper rent, Makakilo actually has lower median home values ($827,900 vs $843,900).

Median household income in Lihue is $77,420 compared to $120,489 in Makakilo (-35.7%). While Makakilo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lihue spend roughly 30.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.9% in Makakilo. The Makakilo ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.