F
88%
Overall NAT. AVG.
27%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
224%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Lahaina Hawaii National
Cost of living188173100
Goods & Services127130100
Groceries117137100
Health care123126100
Housing324250100
Transportation135143100
Utilities151180100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lahaina, HI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lahaina is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Lahaina is 188, which is 88% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Lahaina 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, Lahaina falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Lahaina, 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 224.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Lahaina, these items will cost you 26.8% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

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, Lahaina is no exception, where grocery prices are 16.7% above the national average.

Is Lahaina Affordable?

Is Lahaina 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 Lahaina, the median home price is 295.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 57.3% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Lahaina come in at $76,951, which is 39.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lahaina?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Lahaina, is 224.1% higher than the national average.

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 Lahaina, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 1.4%.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Lahaina 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lahaina is 8% higher than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Lahaina is 88% higher than the national average
  • Lahaina housing is 224% higher than the national average
  • Hawaii general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Hawaii state income tax is 38% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lahaina

See all the best places to live around Lahaina

Compare Lahaina, HI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$107,946$8,996$2,519$3,239
      Renters$63,891$5,324$1,491$1,917
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lahaina is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Lahaina has a median income of about $107,946 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,519 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $63,891. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,491 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Lahaina National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.47$24.2619.8%
      Beauty Salon $76.67$45.5668.3%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.73$1.2834.8%
      Movie $15.08$12.1324.3%
      Bowling $25.33$18.0040.7%

      Groceries

      Item Lahaina National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.42$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.85$1.5781.0%
      Milk $5.38$4.6715.1%
      Potatoes $5.94$4.9320.4%
      Pizza $14.99$12.0924.0%
      Beer $12.01$10.4115.4%

      Health Care

      Item Lahaina National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $236.67$125.6888.3%
      Doctor $191.36$135.7840.9%
      Dentist $114.44$113.291.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.35$10.656.6%
      Lipitor $573.90$468.6022.5%

      Housing

      Item Lahaina National avg. Difference
      Home Price $730,700.00$184,700.00295.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,008.77$2,346.69241.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,493.00$949.0057.3%

      Transportation

      Item Lahaina National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.80$3.4638.8%
      Tire Balancing $75.37$59.9225.8%

      Utilities

      Item Lahaina National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $359.53$193.9985.3%
      Phone $184.47$192.254.0%
      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.
      Ualapue, HI47513838.3%
      Maalaea, HI25815150.8%
      Waihee-Waiehu, HI10,77116969.4%
      Wailuku, HI17,52317069.9%
      Kahului, HI29,99317373.4%
      Lahaina, HI13,21618887.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Verona, WI13,21512222.0%
      Wellington North, ON13,212n/a 
      Auburn, IN13,2099010.5%
      New Ulm, MN13,209927.8%
      Glenn Heights, TX13,2281043.5%
      Lahaina, HI13,21618887.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.