Cost of Living in Paia, HI

With a cost of living index of 184, Paia, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 84% more expensive than the national average and 27% above the Hawaii state average of 157. Paia is a small community of 2,629 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Paia's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,446 (85% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $881,100 (189% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Paia is $120,735, which is 61% higher 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. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

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.