Kailua 83 Exceptional
Kailua Livability #2 ranked city in Hawaii#906 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kailua

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in Kailua?

Kailua is a mid-sized city located in the state of Hawaii. The city has a population of 39,271 people. With a population density of 5,065 people per square mile, Kailua is well above the nation's average density level. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Kailua entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.

Living in Kailua can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Hawaii, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kailua and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kailua to Hawaii and the national average.

Kailua has a livability score of 83/100 and is ranked #2 in Hawaii and #877 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Kailua could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Kailua also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Kailua ranks very well for amenities (A+), crime (A+) and education (A). Regrettably for Kailua, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: cost of living (F).

If you're living in Kailua, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Kailua an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Kailua has an unemployment rate of 2.5% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Assuming that Kailua meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Kailua. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Kailua are simply unattainable. The median home price for Kailua homes is $1,832,953, which is 90.6% higher than the Hawaii average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kailua, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 10, which is 13.6% higher than the Hawaii average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kailua

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kailua?

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Compare Kailua, HI Livability

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      Kailua transportation information

      Statistic Kailua Hawaii National
      Average one way commute30min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.2%66.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.8%14.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.6%6.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.1%4.4%2.8%
      Working from home6.8%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Kailua, HI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.