Cost of Living in Hawi, HI

With a cost of living index of 150, Hawi, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 50% more expensive than the national average and 7% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Hawi is a small community of 1,720 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Hawi's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,898 (44% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $662,500 (117% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.8x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Hawi is $85,197, which is 13% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.