Pupukea, HI vs Waianae, HI

The cost of living difference between Pupukea, HI and Waianae, HI is dramatic. Waianae is 75.9% cheaper than Pupukea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pupukea has a cost index of 209 while Waianae sits at 119, 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 Pupukea is $1,991/month compared to $1,307/month in Waianae — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waianae is more affordable at $487,200 median vs $1,331,800.

Median household income in Pupukea is $98,771 compared to $84,766 in Waianae (+16.5%). Pupukea does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Pupukea spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Waianae.