Lihue, HI vs Wailuku, HI

Wailuku is moderately more affordable than Lihue, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Lihue scores 168 compared to 155 for Wailuku, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lihue 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 $1,747/month in Wailuku — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wailuku is more affordable at $781,700 median vs $843,900.

Median household income in Lihue is $77,420 compared to $93,958 in Wailuku (-17.6%). Wailuku 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 22.3% in Wailuku. The Wailuku ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.