| Index | Wahiawa | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 165 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 127 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 261 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 126 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 127 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 132 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Wahiawa can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Wahiawa cost of living index is 165, which is 65% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Wahiawa may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Wahiawa falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Wahiawa cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 161% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Wahiawa, these items cost 15.9% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Wahiawa, it's the same story – grocery costs are 27.1% higher than what people pay across the country.
Is Wahiawa 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 Wahiawa, the median home price is 210.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 46.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Wahiawa boasting a median household income of $102,108, 25.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Wahiawa, the transportation index is 19.5% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Wahiawa, the utilities index registers at 25.9% higher than the national average.
The Wahiawa cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $156,274 | $13,023 | $3,646 | $4,689 |
| Renters | $69,476 | $5,790 | $1,621 | $2,084 |
| 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% |
| Wahiawa, HI | 16,989 | 165 | 64.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Buda, TX | 16,991 | 116 | 16.0% |
| McKinleyville, CA | 16,979 | 127 | 27.0% |
| El Segundo, CA | 16,972 | 236 | 136.2% |
| Edmundston, NB | 16,970 | n/a | |
| Roosevelt, NY | 17,011 | 133 | 33.3% |
| Wahiawa, HI | 16,989 | 165 | 64.9% |
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