Cost of Living in Kapaa, HI

With a cost of living index of 166, Kapaa, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 66% more expensive than the national average and 9% above the Hawaii state average of 157. Kapaa is a smaller community of 10,886 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Kapaa's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,997 (51% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $821,500 (169% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 9.2x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Kapaa is $89,440, which is 19% 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.