Kaunakakai 54 Below average
Kaunakakai Livability #133 ranked city in Hawaii#23,891 ranked city in the USARanks better than 18% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kaunakakai

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

What's it like Living in Kaunakakai?

Located in the state of Hawaii, Kaunakakai is a small-sized city with a population of 3,145 inhabitants. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Kaunakakai is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 10 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Kaunakakai can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Hawaii, there are many desirable 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. Finding the best places to live in Kaunakakai and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Kaunakakai has received a livability score of 51/100. This score is ranked in the 13th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Kaunakakai does not rank well for most categories. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Kaunakakai ranks very well for crime (A-). On a less positive note, Kaunakakai does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The Kaunakakai unemployment rate of 2% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Kaunakakai is real estate affordability. The median home price for Kaunakakai homes is $533,265, which is 44.6% lower than the Hawaii average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kaunakakai, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.7, which is 23.9% lower than the Hawaii average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kaunakakai

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kaunakakai?

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Compare Kaunakakai, HI Livability

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      Kaunakakai transportation information

      Statistic Kaunakakai Hawaii National
      Average one way commute10min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.2%66.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool18.2%14.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%6.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.4%4.4%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Kaunakakai, 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.