Wailea, HI vs Wailuku, HI

The cost of living difference between Wailea, HI and Wailuku, HI is dramatic. Wailuku is 45.3% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Wailea has a cost index of 225 while Wailuku sits at 155, 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 $1,747/month in Wailuku — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wailuku is more affordable at $781,700 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Wailea is $89,375 compared to $93,958 in Wailuku (-4.9%). Wailuku offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Wailea spend roughly 33.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in Wailuku. The Wailuku ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.