Lihue, HI vs Waialua, HI

Lihue, HI and Waialua, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Lihue scores 168 while Waialua scores 168 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 $1,707/month in Waialua — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waialua has cheaper rent, Lihue actually has lower median home values ($843,900 vs $942,300).

Median household income in Lihue is $77,420 compared to $84,656 in Waialua (-8.5%). While Waialua 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 24.2% in Waialua. The Waialua ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.