Maalaea, HI vs Ualapue, HI

The cost of living difference between Maalaea, HI and Ualapue, HI is dramatic. Ualapue is 32% cheaper than Maalaea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maalaea has a cost index of 153 while Ualapue sits at 116, 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 $1,806/month in Ualapue — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ualapue is more affordable at $291,700 median vs $612,500.

Median household income in Maalaea is $93,750 compared to $62,750 in Ualapue (+49.4%). While Maalaea is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maalaea spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, less than the 34.5% in Ualapue. The Maalaea ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.