Cost of Living in Wailua, HI

With a cost of living index of 165, Wailua, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 65% more expensive than the national average and 7% above the Hawaii state average of 157. Wailua is a small community of 2,544 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Wailua's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,272 (72% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $697,300 (129% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 10.2x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Wailua is $68,548, which is 9% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 40% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

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.