Wailuku, HI vs Waipahu, HI

Wailuku, HI and Waipahu, HI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Wailuku scores 155 while Waipahu scores 156 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Wailuku is $1,747/month compared to $1,585/month in Waipahu — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waipahu has cheaper rent, Wailuku actually has lower median home values ($781,700 vs $835,400).

Median household income in Wailuku is $93,958 compared to $98,633 in Waipahu (-4.7%). While Waipahu is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Wailuku spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in Waipahu.