Lihue, HI vs Wahiawa, HI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wahiawa is 18.7% cheaper than Lihue. With a cost index of 142 vs 168, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wahiawa to Lihue should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lihue is $1,989/month compared to $1,443/month in Wahiawa — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wahiawa is more affordable at $716,800 median vs $843,900.

Median household income in Lihue is $77,420 compared to $86,883 in Wahiawa (-10.9%). Wahiawa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lihue spend roughly 30.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in Wahiawa. The Wahiawa ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.