F
73%
Overall NAT. AVG.
34%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
126%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Kalaoa Hawaii National
Cost of living173176100
Goods & Services134128100
Groceries157144100
Health care129128100
Housing226252100
Transportation151146100
Utilities209201100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Kalaoa, HI

Knowing the cost of living in Kalaoa 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 Kalaoa stands at 173, marking it 73% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Kalaoa may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Kalaoa falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs significantly influence the Kalaoa cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 125.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Kalaoa, you you will have to spend 33.6% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Kalaoa, it's the same story – grocery costs are 57.1% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Kalaoa Affordable?

Wondering if Kalaoa is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kalaoa, for example, the median home price is 169.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 23.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kalaoa boasting a median household income of $98,773, which is 21.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kalaoa?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Kalaoa, the housing index comes in at 125.9% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Kalaoa, healthcare costs are 29% 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 Kalaoa, the utilities index registers 109% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Kalaoa displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kalaoa is 2% lower than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Kalaoa is 73% higher than the national average
  • Kalaoa housing is 126% higher than the national average
  • Hawaii general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Hawaii state income tax is 46% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kalaoa

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Compare Kalaoa, HI Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$127,136$10,595$2,966$3,814
      Renters$54,738$4,562$1,277$1,642
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Kalaoa, HI, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Kalaoa have a median income of $127,136. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,966 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $54,738, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,277.

      Hawaii Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Hawaii 4% 4.712%

      Hawaii Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Hawaii 1.4% 11%

      Goods & Services

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      Haircut $12.17$27.6255.9%
      Beauty Salon $31.47$51.1138.4%
      Toothpaste $4.08$4.090.2%
      Shampoo $1.72$1.5411.7%
      Movie $10.04$12.8822.0%
      Yoga $13.87$19.6629.5%

      Groceries

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $4.25$7.7044.8%
      Fried Chicken $2.19$1.6631.6%
      Milk $3.21$4.7332.3%
      Potatoes $4.25$5.2619.1%
      Pizza $12.30$12.763.6%
      Beer $7.78$10.5526.2%

      Health Care

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $136.85$140.062.3%
      Doctor $133.68$153.8213.1%
      Dentist $112.79$123.158.4%
      Ibuprofen $13.01$11.7310.9%
      Lipitor $398.63$23.611,588.4%

      Housing

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      Home Price $881,086.00$326,622.00169.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,014.49$2,480.2518.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,782.00$1,444.0023.4%

      Transportation

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.16$3.063.5%
      Tire Balancing $72.96$65.2111.9%

      Utilities

      Item Kalaoa National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $431.66$220.1296.1%
      Phone $39.39$195.7179.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kealakekua, HI2,46417070.2%
      Waikoloa Village, HI7,57117473.9%
      Honalo, HI83418484.3%
      Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI7,51419897.7%
      Holualoa, HI2,901231131.4%
      Kalaoa, HI11,59417373.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lowes Island, VA11,59317271.9%
      Nelson, BC11,592n/a 
      Berkley, CO11,59112423.6%
      L'Île-Perrot, QC11,591n/a 
      Pike Creek Valley, DE11,60011514.7%
      Kalaoa, HI11,59417373.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.