Maalaea, HI vs Paauilo, HI

The cost of living difference between Maalaea, HI and Paauilo, HI is dramatic. Paauilo is 50.4% cheaper than Maalaea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maalaea has a cost index of 153 while Paauilo sits at 102, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Maalaea is $2,163/month compared to $1,117/month in Paauilo — a 94% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Paauilo is more affordable at $361,100 median vs $612,500.

Median household income in Maalaea is $93,750 compared to $65,750 in Paauilo (+42.6%). The higher salaries in Maalaea partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Maalaea spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Paauilo.