Wailea, HI vs Waimalu, HI

The cost of living difference between Wailea, HI and Waimalu, HI is dramatic. Waimalu is 54.6% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Wailea has a cost index of 225 while Waimalu sits at 145, 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 $1,892/month in Waimalu — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waimalu is more affordable at $597,700 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Wailea is $89,375 compared to $89,016 in Waimalu (+0.4%). Wailea 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 Wailea spend roughly 33.4% of their income on rent, more than the 25.5% in Waimalu. The Waimalu ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.