Cost of Living in Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI

With a cost of living index of 145, Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 45% more expensive than the national average and 13% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is a smaller community of 21,851 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Kailua CDP (Hawaii County)'s cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,747 (32% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $649,400 (113% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.5x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) is $86,743, which is 15% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 24% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. 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.