Cost of Living in Wailuku, HI

With a cost of living index of 155, Wailuku, HI is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 55% more expensive than the national average and 3% below the Hawaii state average of 157. Wailuku is a smaller community of 15,754 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Wailuku's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,747 (32% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $781,700 (156% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Wailuku is $93,958, which is 25% 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. 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.