Makaha, HI vs Wahiawa, HI

Makaha is moderately more affordable than Wahiawa, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Makaha scores 130 compared to 142 for Wahiawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wahiawa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Makaha is $1,871/month compared to $1,443/month in Wahiawa — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wahiawa has cheaper rent, Makaha actually has lower median home values ($416,100 vs $716,800).

Median household income in Makaha is $63,291 compared to $86,883 in Wahiawa (-27.2%). While Wahiawa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Makaha spend roughly 35.5% 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.