Cost of Living in Pahoa, HI

With a cost of living index of 89, Pahoa, HI is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 11% cheaper than the national average and 68% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Pahoa is a small community of 1,430 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Pahoa's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $819 (38% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $312,500 (2% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.6x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Pahoa is $55,903, which is 26% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 18% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

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.