| Index | Waianae | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 141 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 124 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 185 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 131 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 132 | 132 | 100 |
The cost of living in Waianae affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Waianae is 141, which is 41% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, 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 Waianae 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, Waianae falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Waianae 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 84.6% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Waianae, these everyday items will cost you 12.2% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
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 Waianae, it's the same story – grocery costs are 24% higher than what people pay across the country.
Is Waianae affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Waianae, for instance, where the median home price falls 116.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 11.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Waianae flaunting a median household income of $101,203, 24.4% higher than the national norm.
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 Waianae, the transportation index is 17.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Waianae, the groceries index is 24% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Waianae, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.4%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Waianae are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $149,804 | $12,484 | $3,495 | $4,495 |
| Renters | $45,182 | $3,765 | $1,054 | $1,356 |
| 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. |
| Makaha, HI | 10,411 | 143 | 42.7% |
| Nanakuli, HI | 11,830 | 145 | 45.1% |
| Waipio Acres, HI | 5,724 | 154 | 53.8% |
| Kalaeloa, HI | 2,475 | 164 | 63.6% |
| Wahiawa, HI | 16,989 | 165 | 64.9% |
| Waianae, HI | 13,612 | 141 | 40.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Black Forest, CO | 13,615 | 172 | 72.4% |
| Warrensville Heights, OH | 13,615 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Indiana, PA | 13,616 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Rogers, MN | 13,607 | 124 | 24.2% |
| Conway, FL | 13,622 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Waianae, HI | 13,612 | 141 | 40.9% |
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