| Index | Waipahu | Hawaii | National |
| Cost of living | 175 | 163 | 100 |
| Groceries | 124 | 126 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Housing | 299 | 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 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Waipahu? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Waipahu stands at 175, making it 75% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Waipahu 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, Waipahu falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Waipahu cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 198.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Waipahu, you can expect to pay 12.2% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
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 Waipahu, it's the same story – grocery costs are 24% higher than what people pay across the country.
Is Waipahu 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 Waipahu, for instance, where the median home price falls 266.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 39.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Waipahu flaunting a median household income of $115,643, 42.2% higher than the national norm.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Waipahu, the transportation index stands at 17.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Waipahu, is 198.6% higher than the national average.
The Waipahu 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.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $144,466 | $12,039 | $3,371 | $4,334 |
| Renters | $79,516 | $6,626 | $1,855 | $2,386 |
| 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% |
| Waipahu, HI | 39,064 | 175 | 75.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Stanton, CA | 39,110 | 146 | 46.2% |
| Clinton, MD | 38,944 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Port Moody, BC | 39,217 | n/a | |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Fort Lee, NJ | 39,239 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Waipahu, HI | 39,064 | 175 | 75.1% |
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