| Index | Kapolei | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 173 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 124 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 290 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 131 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 132 | 132 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Kapolei 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 Kapolei stands at 173, marking it 73% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Kapolei 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, Kapolei falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Kapolei, 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 190.1% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Kapolei, you can expect to pay 12.2% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
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 Kapolei is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 24% higher than the national average.
Is Kapolei affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Kapolei, the median home price is 223.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 113% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kapolei boasting a median household income of $169,206, 108% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Kapolei, healthcare costs are 15.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Kapolei, the housing index is 190.1% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Kapolei, the transportation index is 17.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Kapolei 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.
| 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 | $188,016 | $15,668 | $4,387 | $5,641 |
| Renters | $127,811 | $10,651 | $2,982 | $3,835 |
| 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. |
| Waianae, HI | 13,612 | 141 | 40.9% |
| Makaha, HI | 10,411 | 143 | 42.7% |
| Nanakuli, HI | 11,830 | 145 | 45.1% |
| Waipio Acres, HI | 5,724 | 154 | 53.8% |
| Waimalu, HI | 14,084 | 155 | 55.3% |
| Kapolei, HI | 22,175 | 173 | 72.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Anniston, AL | 22,178 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Duarte, CA | 22,169 | 154 | 54.5% |
| St. Andrews, SC | 22,188 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Ensley, FL | 22,158 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Hamtramck, MI | 22,199 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Kapolei, HI | 22,175 | 173 | 72.6% |
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