Naalehu, HI vs Puako, HI

The cost of living difference between Naalehu, HI and Puako, HI is dramatic. Naalehu is 57.7% cheaper than Puako, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Naalehu has a cost index of 103 while Puako sits at 244, 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 Naalehu is $1,551/month compared to $1,964/month in Puako — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Naalehu is more affordable at $215,600 median vs $1,781,300.

Median household income in Naalehu is $70,469 compared to $116,250 in Puako (-39.4%). The higher salaries in Puako partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Naalehu spend roughly 26.4% of their income on rent, more than the 20.3% in Puako.