Cost of Living in Kapaau, HI

With a cost of living index of 131, Kapaau, HI is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 31% more expensive than the national average and 26% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Kapaau is a small community of 2,029 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Kapaau's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,497 (13% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $577,600 (89% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.7x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Kapaau is $74,583, which is 1% lower 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.

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.