| Index | Wailuku | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 168 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 127 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 269 | 252 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 130 | 131 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 127 | 100 |
| Household Items | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 132 | 132 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Wailuku 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 Wailuku cost of living index is 168, which is 68% 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.
The cost of living in Wailuku 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, Wailuku 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 Wailuku, 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 169.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, 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 Wailuku, these items cost 16.3% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
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, Wailuku is no exception, where grocery prices are 27% above the national average.
Wondering if Wailuku 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 Wailuku, for example, the median home price is 223.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 42.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Wailuku boasting a median household income of $112,588, which is 38.4% 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 Wailuku, the transportation index is 19.9% 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 Wailuku, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.4%.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Wailuku, the groceries index is 27% higher than the national average.
The Wailuku cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $155,095 | $12,925 | $3,619 | $4,653 |
| Renters | $72,739 | $6,062 | $1,697 | $2,182 |
| 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. |
| Maalaea, HI | 263 | 148 | 47.6% |
| Waihee-Waiehu, HI | 10,988 | 166 | 66.3% |
| Kahului, HI | 30,867 | 171 | 70.6% |
| Makawao, HI | 8,162 | 174 | 74.4% |
| Haliimaile, HI | 1,017 | 175 | 74.8% |
| Wailuku, HI | 17,886 | 168 | 67.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Flowing Wells, AZ | 17,890 | 85 | 15.4% |
| Godfrey, IL | 17,898 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Coalinga, CA | 17,902 | 112 | 11.6% |
| Lindenwold, NJ | 17,906 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Perry, GA | 17,864 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Wailuku, HI | 17,886 | 168 | 67.6% |
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