Cost of Living in Pahala, HI

With a cost of living index of 76, Pahala, HI is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 24% cheaper than the national average and 81% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Pahala is a small community of 1,785 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Pahala's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $650 (51% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $216,600 (29% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Pahala is $71,908, which is 4% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 11% 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.