F
56%
Overall NAT. AVG.
22%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
98%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Nanakuli Hawaii National
Cost of living156176100
Goods & Services122128100
Groceries132144100
Health care128128100
Housing198252100
Transportation141146100
Utilities193201100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Nanakuli, HI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Nanakuli 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 Nanakuli is 156, which is 56% 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.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Nanakuli is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Nanakuli falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Nanakuli cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 98.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Nanakuli, these items will cost you 22.3% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

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 Nanakuli is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 31.6% higher than the national average.

Is Nanakuli Affordable?

Wondering if Nanakuli is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Nanakuli, for example, the median home price is 114% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 62.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Nanakuli boasting a median household income of $113,814, which is 39.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Nanakuli?

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 Nanakuli, the housing index is 98.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Nanakuli, the transportation index is 41.1% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Nanakuli, the groceries index registers 31.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Nanakuli, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Nanakuli is 12% lower than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Nanakuli is 56% higher than the national average
  • Nanakuli housing is 98% 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 Nanakuli

See all the best places to live around Nanakuli

Compare Nanakuli, HI Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Nanakuli?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Nanakuli?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Nanakuli poll results

      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$133,717$11,143$3,120$4,012
      Renters$62,513$5,209$1,459$1,876
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Nanakuli, HI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Nanakuli homeowners, is $133,717. This would allow for a maximum of $3,120 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $62,513 which would result in a maximum of $1,459 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.08$27.6227.3%
      Beauty Salon $73.33$51.1143.5%
      Toothpaste $4.06$4.090.8%
      Shampoo $1.86$1.5420.6%
      Movie $18.72$12.8845.4%
      Yoga $28.67$19.6645.8%

      Groceries

      Item Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.13$7.705.5%
      Fried Chicken $3.22$1.6693.7%
      Milk $5.57$4.7317.7%
      Potatoes $5.38$5.262.4%
      Pizza $15.99$12.7625.3%
      Beer $12.16$10.5515.3%

      Health Care

      Item Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $258.00$140.0684.2%
      Doctor $243.67$153.8258.4%
      Dentist $127.00$123.153.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.94$11.731.8%
      Lipitor $28.47$23.6120.6%

      Housing

      Item Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      Home Price $699,000.00$326,622.00114.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,580.88$2,480.25205.7%
      Apartment Rent $2,341.00$1,444.0062.1%

      Transportation

      Item Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.44$3.0645.3%
      Tire Balancing $85.40$65.2131.0%

      Utilities

      Item Nanakuli National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $555.14$220.12152.2%
      Phone $188.92$195.713.5%
      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.
      Waianae, HI13,61215151.4%
      Makaha, HI10,41115353.2%
      Waipio Acres, HI5,72416464.3%
      Waimalu, HI14,08416564.7%
      Kalaeloa, HI2,47517474.1%
      Nanakuli, HI11,83015655.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Byram, MS11,831927.6%
      Lakeland Highlands, FL11,82811716.5%
      Madison Heights, VA11,834928.3%
      Hamilton Square, NJ11,83612221.8%
      Bridgeton, MO11,823954.8%
      Nanakuli, HI11,83015655.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.