Cost of Living in Lawai, HI

With a cost of living index of 167, Lawai, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 67% more expensive than the national average and 9% above the Hawaii state average of 157. Lawai is a small community of 2,775 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Lawai's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,917 (45% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $853,700 (180% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Lawai is $104,826, which is 39% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% 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.