F
54%
Overall NAT. AVG.
24%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
126%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Kalaoa Hawaii National
Cost of living154163100
Groceries124126100
Health care116119100
Housing226252100
Transportation123121100
Utilities131131100
Lifestyle & Entertainment127127100
Household Items115115100
Education & Childcare128132100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Kalaoa, HI

The cost of living in Kalaoa affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Kalaoa is 154, which is 54% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Kalaoa 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, Kalaoa falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Kalaoa, 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 125.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Kalaoa, these items cost 15% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Kalaoa is no exception, where grocery prices are 23.7% above the national average.

Is Kalaoa Affordable?

Is Kalaoa 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 Kalaoa, the median home price is 169.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 23.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Kalaoa come in at $98,773, which is 21.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kalaoa?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Kalaoa, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 1.4%.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Kalaoa, the housing index is 125.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Kalaoa cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kalaoa is 5% lower than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Kalaoa is 54% 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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      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kealakekua, HI2,46415150.8%
      Waikoloa Village, HI7,57115554.5%
      Honalo, HI83416564.9%
      Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI7,51417878.3%
      Holualoa, HI2,901212112.0%
      Kalaoa, HI11,59415454.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lowes Island, VA11,59316868.1%
      Nelson, BC11,592n/a 
      Berkley, CO11,59112424.3%
      L'Île-Perrot, QC11,591n/a 
      Pike Creek Valley, DE11,60011212.0%
      Kalaoa, HI11,59415454.0%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.