Cost of Living in Lihue, HI

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F
73%
Overall NAT. AVG.
24%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
192%
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 Lihue Hawaii National
Cost of living173163100
Groceries124126100
Health care116119100
Housing292252100
Transportation117121100
Utilities131131100
Lifestyle & Entertainment126127100
Household Items112115100
Education & Childcare132132100
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Homes For Sale In Lihue, HI

property for sale

Rice St #12

Lihue, HI
property for sale

3 Rice St #3

Lihue, HI
property for sale

3607 Rice St

Lihue, HI
property for sale

3-3400 Kuhio Hwy Unit A307

Lihue, HI

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lihue is 6% higher than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Lihue is 73% higher than the national average
  • Lihue housing is 192% 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 Lihue

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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
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$171,965$14,330$4,012$5,159
      Renters$73,721$6,143$1,720$2,212
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lihue 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. Lihue has a median income of about $171,965 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $4,012 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $73,721. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,720 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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Anahola, HI2,47615150.8%
      Eleele, HI2,77115252.2%
      Hanamaulu, HI4,81715252.5%
      Puhi, HI4,45415756.8%
      Wailua, HI2,55316261.7%
      Lihue, HI9,31417373.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Garden City, GA9,315946.3%
      Heath, TX9,31114646.3%
      Hernando, FL9,319928.3%
      Harleysville, PA9,30812221.7%
      Leonia, NJ9,32415353.2%
      Lihue, HI9,31417373.2%
      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.
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