Paia, HI vs Wailea, HI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Paia is 18.1% cheaper than Wailea. With a cost index of 184 vs 225, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Paia to Wailea should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Paia is $2,446/month compared to $2,485/month in Wailea — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Paia is more affordable at $881,100 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Paia is $120,735 compared to $89,375 in Wailea (+35.1%). Paia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Paia spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Wailea. The Paia ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.