| Index | Kahului | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 171 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 127 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 279 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 130 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 132 | 132 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Kahului allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Kahului stands at 171, marking it 71% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Kahului is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Kahului falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Kahului, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 179% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Kahului, these everyday items will cost you 16.3% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Kahului is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 27% higher than the national average.
Is Kahului an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Kahului is 238.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 39.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kahului has a median household income of $126,278, which is 55.3% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Kahului, the transportation index is 19.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Kahului, the utilities index registers 30.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Kahului shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $151,386 | $12,616 | $3,532 | $4,542 |
| Renters | $75,045 | $6,254 | $1,751 | $2,252 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Hawaii | 4% | 4.712% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Hawaii | 1.4% | 11% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Maalaea, HI | 263 | 148 | 47.6% |
| Waihee-Waiehu, HI | 10,988 | 166 | 66.3% |
| Wailuku, HI | 17,886 | 168 | 67.6% |
| Makawao, HI | 8,162 | 174 | 74.4% |
| Haliimaile, HI | 1,017 | 175 | 74.8% |
| Kahului, HI | 30,867 | 171 | 70.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| North Chicago, IL | 30,865 | 95 | 5.0% |
| East Lake-Orient Park, FL | 30,859 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Cornelius, NC | 30,849 | 122 | 22.2% |
| Burlingame, CA | 30,894 | 336 | 236.4% |
| Centre Wellington, ON | 30,896 | n/a | |
| Kahului, HI | 30,867 | 171 | 70.6% |
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