Lihue, HI vs Paia, HI

Lihue is moderately more affordable than Paia, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Lihue scores 168 compared to 184 for Paia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Paia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lihue is $1,989/month compared to $2,446/month in Paia — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lihue is more affordable at $843,900 median vs $881,100.

Median household income in Lihue is $77,420 compared to $120,735 in Paia (-35.9%). While Paia 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 24.3% in Paia. The Paia ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.