| Index | Kailua | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 226 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 124 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 470 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 130 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 121 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 127 | 132 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kailua? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kailua stands at 226, making it 126% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Kailua may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Kailua falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Kailua, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 370.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, 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 Kailua, these everyday items will cost you 15.6% 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 Kailua is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 23.7% higher than the national average.
Is Kailua an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Kailua, the median home price is 461.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 157.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Kailua come in at $183,265, which is 125.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Kailua starts at 4% and the income tax rates start at 1.4%.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Kailua, the transportation index is 16.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Kailua are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| 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 | $199,413 | $16,618 | $4,653 | $5,983 |
| Renters | $136,199 | $11,350 | $3,178 | $4,086 |
| 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. |
| Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI | 14,062 | 142 | 42.2% |
| Waimalu, HI | 14,084 | 155 | 55.3% |
| Waimanalo Beach, HI | 4,376 | 162 | 62.5% |
| Punaluu, HI | 1,151 | 170 | 69.5% |
| Kaneohe Station, HI | 11,404 | 171 | 71.5% |
| Kailua, HI | 39,271 | 226 | 126.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Grants Pass, OR | 39,267 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Fort Lee, NJ | 39,239 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Port Moody, BC | 39,217 | n/a | |
| Pleasant Grove, UT | 39,356 | 120 | 20.3% |
| Kailua, HI | 39,271 | 226 | 126.3% |
Here are the best places to live in Hawaii
These are the largest cities in Hawaii
Check out the 10 safest cities in Hawaii
Most Dangerous States In The US