Wailea, HI vs Wailua, HI

The cost of living difference between Wailea, HI and Wailua, HI is dramatic. Wailua is 36.5% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Wailea has a cost index of 225 while Wailua sits at 165, 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 Wailea is $2,485/month compared to $2,272/month in Wailua — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wailua is more affordable at $697,300 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Wailea is $89,375 compared to $68,548 in Wailua (+30.4%). The higher salaries in Wailea partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Wailea spend roughly 33.4% of their income on rent, less than the 39.8% in Wailua. The Wailea ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.