Cost of Living in Papaikou, HI

With a cost of living index of 119, Papaikou, HI is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 19% more expensive than the national average and 38% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Papaikou is a small community of 1,325 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Papaikou's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,489 (13% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $431,100 (41% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.3x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Papaikou is $80,972, which is 8% 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.

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.