State Guide
Best Places to Live in Hawaii
The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 163 Hawaii cities — ranked from official data.
Choosing where to live in Hawaii comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.
Most Affordable Cities in Hawaii
Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).
| # | City | Cost of Living | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului | 106 | 27,233 |
| 2 | Kihei | 106 | 22,247 |
| 3 | Wailuku | 106 | 16,590 |
| 4 | Lahaina | 106 | 12,906 |
| 5 | Waihee-Waiehu | 106 | 11,029 |
Safest Cities in Hawaii
Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.
| # | City | Crime Index | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu | 63 | 348,547 |
Highest-Income Cities in Hawaii
Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| # | City | Median Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Honolulu | $151,224 | 49,491 |
| 2 | Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | $138,363 | 40,323 |
| 3 | Ewa Gentry | $125,300 | 27,198 |
| 4 | Kaneohe | $120,451 | 35,493 |
| 5 | Mililani Town | $119,502 | 27,423 |
| 6 | Pearl City | $116,938 | 46,812 |
| 7 | Kahului | $94,712 | 27,233 |
| 8 | Waipahu | $87,961 | 39,873 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu | $82,772 | 348,547 |
| 10 | Hilo | $75,589 | 47,627 |
Best School Districts in Hawaii
Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).
| # | City | School Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Honolulu | A | 49,491 |
| 2 | Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | A- | 40,323 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | B+ | 27,423 |
| 4 | Urban Honolulu | B+ | 348,547 |
| 5 | Pearl City | B+ | 46,812 |
| 6 | Kaneohe | B+ | 35,493 |
| 7 | Hilo | B+ | 47,627 |
| 8 | Kahului | B- | 27,233 |
| 9 | Waipahu | B- | 39,873 |
Popular Hawaii City Comparisons
Head-to-head breakdowns of the state's largest cities.
Urban Honolulu vs East Honolulu
Urban Honolulu vs Hilo
Urban Honolulu vs Pearl City
Urban Honolulu vs Kailua CDP (Honolulu County)
Urban Honolulu vs Waipahu
Urban Honolulu vs Kaneohe
Urban Honolulu vs Mililani Town
East Honolulu vs Hilo
East Honolulu vs Pearl City
East Honolulu vs Kailua CDP (Honolulu County)
East Honolulu vs Waipahu
East Honolulu vs Kaneohe
All Cities in Hawaii
Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemployment | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 348,547 | $82,772 | $805,500 | $1,734 | 5.1% | 63 |
| East Honolulu | 49,491 | $151,224 | $1,117,200 | $3,130 | 3.8% | — |
| Hilo | 47,627 | $75,589 | $417,600 | $1,228 | 6.8% | — |
| Pearl City | 46,812 | $116,938 | $839,100 | $2,286 | 2.7% | — |
| Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | 40,323 | $138,363 | $1,208,600 | $2,842 | 3.3% | — |
| Waipahu | 39,873 | $87,961 | $805,400 | $1,518 | 4.8% | — |
| Kaneohe | 35,493 | $120,451 | $941,500 | $2,039 | 4.5% | — |
| Mililani Town | 27,423 | $119,502 | $846,100 | $2,227 | 3.6% | — |
| Kahului | 27,233 | $94,712 | $765,300 | $1,469 | 4.7% | — |
| Ewa Gentry | 27,198 | $125,300 | $715,000 | $2,383 | 3.5% | — |
| Kapolei | 22,701 | $121,768 | $699,500 | $2,269 | 5.6% | — |
| Kihei | 22,247 | $89,892 | $753,800 | $1,899 | 6.5% | — |
| Mililani Mauka | 21,546 | $132,043 | $852,800 | $2,447 | 2.0% | — |
| Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) | 21,449 | $87,268 | $619,700 | $1,708 | 3.7% | — |
| Makakilo | 21,055 | $115,435 | $755,500 | $2,071 | 5.6% | — |
| Schofield Barracks | 18,133 | $69,755 | — | $3,073 | 8.9% | — |
| Wahiawa | 17,400 | $81,433 | $655,400 | $1,411 | 3.6% | — |
| Wailuku | 16,590 | $93,908 | $719,800 | $1,586 | 3.5% | — |
| Ocean Pointe | 16,173 | $136,540 | $800,200 | $3,383 | 2.9% | — |
| Ewa Beach | 15,167 | $114,207 | $647,500 | $2,310 | 4.2% | — |
| Halawa | 14,411 | $100,321 | $969,300 | $1,528 | 3.3% | — |
| Waimalu | 13,932 | $85,710 | $552,900 | $1,854 | 7.4% | — |
| Royal Kunia | 13,919 | $128,791 | $803,100 | $2,572 | 6.4% | — |
| Waianae | 13,749 | $77,435 | $476,600 | $1,304 | 9.7% | — |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,041 | $81,236 | $427,700 | $1,087 | 1.7% | — |
| Lahaina | 12,906 | $83,443 | $803,300 | $1,828 | 5.7% | — |
| Nanakuli | 12,370 | $77,453 | $453,100 | $1,621 | 11.1% | — |
| Maili | 12,114 | $105,625 | $610,500 | $2,108 | 12.7% | — |
| Kaiminani | 11,731 | $93,893 | $677,600 | $1,349 | 2.5% | — |
| Kaneohe Base | 11,683 | $61,763 | $1,279,400 | $3,251 | 8.4% | — |
| Waipio | 11,138 | $99,815 | $649,900 | $2,117 | 2.6% | — |
| Waihee-Waiehu | 11,029 | $124,601 | $679,300 | $1,922 | 3.1% | — |
| Kapaa | 10,846 | $87,895 | $691,400 | $1,829 | 1.9% | 74 |
| Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) | 10,458 | $100,075 | $617,500 | $2,021 | 5.7% | — |
| Makaha | 10,042 | $57,235 | $402,500 | $1,739 | 9.7% | — |
| Aiea | 9,571 | $130,507 | $954,000 | $2,697 | 4.6% | — |
| Hickam Housing | 9,502 | $111,139 | — | $3,501 | 9.9% | — |
| Haiku-Pauwela | 9,245 | $94,495 | $912,300 | $2,533 | 6.6% | — |
| Ahuimanu | 9,177 | $124,018 | $843,800 | $1,968 | 1.9% | — |
| Lihue | 8,649 | $73,641 | $797,000 | $1,819 | 1.1% | 74 |
| Pukalani | 7,930 | $119,426 | $896,900 | $1,723 | 3.3% | — |
| Makawao | 7,704 | $109,385 | $769,200 | $1,806 | 3.0% | — |
| Waikele | 7,551 | $115,858 | $677,300 | $2,468 | 0.5% | — |
| Waikoloa Village | 7,418 | $103,135 | $617,700 | $1,707 | 9.8% | — |
| Wailua Homesteads | 7,189 | $113,306 | $835,200 | $1,745 | 3.9% | 74 |
| Kahaluu-Keauhou | 7,001 | $87,472 | $759,900 | $1,888 | 4.9% | — |
| Napili-Honokowai | 6,779 | $101,939 | $757,100 | $2,115 | 7.1% | — |
| Kula | 6,578 | $93,452 | $1,144,000 | $1,920 | 4.0% | — |
| Ewa Villages | 6,550 | $82,903 | $761,700 | $1,183 | 1.3% | — |
| Wailea | 6,517 | $89,088 | $1,295,500 | $2,263 | 5.8% | — |
| West Loch Estate | 6,469 | $119,250 | $807,200 | $2,736 | 1.8% | — |
| Iroquois Point | 5,921 | $100,794 | — | $3,249 | 9.0% | — |
| Waimanalo | 5,743 | $127,143 | $676,000 | $1,657 | 4.2% | — |
| Laie | 5,411 | $108,965 | $943,300 | $2,425 | 9.0% | — |
| Waipio Acres | 5,393 | $91,703 | $557,400 | $1,776 | 2.5% | — |
| Pupukea | 5,130 | $99,180 | $1,188,500 | $2,094 | 6.2% | — |
| Kahaluu | 5,065 | $123,365 | $1,132,500 | $2,161 | 5.6% | — |
| East Kapolei | 5,026 | $97,039 | $760,900 | $1,824 | 3.0% | — |
| Heeia | 4,786 | $143,214 | $1,125,700 | $3,117 | 2.1% | — |
| Haleiwa | 4,708 | $92,173 | $1,000,400 | $1,497 | 4.3% | — |
| Kalaheo | 4,651 | $95,625 | $801,400 | $1,589 | 3.3% | 74 |
| Hanamaulu | 4,628 | $74,511 | $616,600 | $1,257 | 6.6% | 74 |
| Waimanalo Beach | 4,475 | $104,643 | $769,500 | $900 | 4.8% | — |
| Captain Cook | 4,135 | $120,323 | $571,100 | $1,804 | 6.5% | — |
| Puhi | 3,961 | $118,676 | $563,700 | $2,242 | 2.8% | 74 |
| Whitmore Village | 3,909 | $96,136 | $706,000 | $1,566 | 3.5% | — |
| Waikapu | 3,887 | $117,500 | $751,800 | $2,665 | 2.6% | — |
| Hawaiian Beaches | 3,879 | $43,707 | $208,600 | $1,632 | 10.9% | — |
| Ainaloa | 3,832 | $48,534 | $215,500 | $1,243 | 9.7% | — |
| Mountain View | 3,627 | $60,057 | $285,500 | $1,262 | 8.2% | — |
| Hauula | 3,593 | $108,800 | $858,300 | $2,414 | 6.9% | — |
| Hawaiian Ocean View | 3,587 | $36,462 | $210,600 | $772 | 11.9% | — |
| Kaunakakai | 3,553 | $67,083 | $334,900 | $940 | 6.1% | — |
| Hawaiian Acres | 3,484 | $74,851 | $314,300 | $1,337 | 5.4% | — |
| Kilauea | 3,386 | $85,227 | $893,800 | $2,303 | 4.1% | 74 |
| Helemano | 3,334 | $78,108 | — | $2,865 | 13.0% | — |
| Lanai City | 3,174 | $80,464 | $481,400 | $1,115 | 2.4% | — |
| Kekaha | 3,149 | $70,375 | $489,500 | — | 2.0% | 74 |
| Holualoa | 3,083 | $90,385 | $1,074,600 | $1,477 | 5.0% | — |
| Waialua | 3,053 | $87,266 | $874,600 | $1,821 | 5.9% | — |
| Kalaeloa | 2,971 | $82,188 | — | $2,891 | 7.6% | — |
| Lawai | 2,902 | $99,138 | $824,000 | $1,988 | 12.2% | 74 |
| Kurtistown | 2,896 | $80,625 | $416,100 | $2,087 | 8.0% | — |
| Keokea | 2,872 | $113,450 | $713,400 | $1,743 | 8.7% | — |
| Anahola | 2,853 | $88,667 | $499,200 | $1,529 | 6.2% | 74 |
| Honaunau-Napoopoo | 2,764 | $71,106 | $672,100 | $1,563 | 10.5% | — |
| Wailua | 2,438 | $67,258 | $663,400 | $1,881 | 8.2% | 74 |
| Orchidlands Estates | 2,400 | $55,700 | $267,400 | $1,125 | 11.5% | — |
| Honokaa | 2,290 | $70,819 | $494,300 | $1,145 | 4.7% | — |
| Koloa | 2,281 | $72,143 | $745,000 | $1,442 | 9.5% | 74 |
| Kahuku | 2,274 | $71,758 | $678,900 | $1,486 | 12.2% | — |
| Eleele | 2,255 | $107,734 | $630,700 | $1,392 | 2.0% | 74 |
| Hanapepe | 2,242 | $88,385 | $656,100 | $1,539 | 6.5% | 74 |
| Wheeler AFB | 2,219 | $74,844 | — | $2,761 | 8.6% | — |
| Paia | 2,211 | $113,750 | $875,000 | $2,406 | 12.9% | — |
| Kealakekua | 2,188 | $78,646 | $562,200 | $1,051 | 1.9% | — |
| Kualapuu | 2,157 | $46,711 | $234,000 | $1,404 | 5.7% | — |
| Maunawili | 2,067 | $169,375 | $1,285,800 | $3,501 | 2.1% | — |
| Princeville | 2,007 | $82,250 | $992,600 | $1,375 | 5.3% | 74 |
| Kapaau | 1,972 | $65,076 | $481,700 | $1,378 | 5.4% | — |
| Waimea CDP (Kauai County) | 1,951 | $95,972 | $520,200 | $1,541 | 4.8% | 74 |
| Pahala | 1,897 | $59,432 | $204,000 | $605 | 19.6% | — |
| Ko Olina | 1,871 | $122,614 | $781,700 | $3,221 | 3.0% | — |
| Mokuleia | 1,782 | $83,688 | $904,200 | $2,411 | 3.6% | — |
| Fern Acres | 1,781 | $48,125 | $251,500 | $1,208 | 17.1% | — |
| Nanawale Estates | 1,666 | $36,250 | $179,900 | $945 | 6.5% | — |
| Leilani Estates | 1,611 | $23,750 | $226,300 | $1,059 | 19.2% | — |
| Kaloko | 1,527 | $83,403 | $1,045,700 | $1,723 | 12.3% | — |
| Kaumakani | 1,498 | $82,652 | — | $1,016 | 1.9% | 74 |
| Pepeekeo | 1,462 | $51,471 | $384,200 | $548 | 8.5% | — |
| Omao | 1,414 | $87,656 | $915,700 | $1,759 | 7.7% | 74 |
| Hawi | 1,383 | $77,589 | $606,600 | $1,574 | 13.7% | — |
| Pahoa | 1,372 | $54,486 | $330,300 | — | 8.6% | — |
| Keaau | 1,290 | $79,821 | $298,500 | $531 | 0.5% | — |
| Kaaawa | 1,259 | $130,257 | $874,000 | $1,730 | 3.9% | — |
| Discovery Harbour | 1,241 | $61,417 | $414,300 | $1,382 | 13.9% | — |
| Kaanapali | 1,227 | $119,044 | $1,571,900 | $2,341 | 21.4% | — |
| Mahinahina | 1,116 | $155,278 | $1,081,000 | $2,632 | 4.1% | — |
| Papaikou | 1,096 | $87,639 | $369,700 | $1,357 | 5.6% | — |
| Poipu | 1,085 | $134,028 | $1,117,300 | $2,243 | 2.3% | 74 |
| Haliimaile | 1,077 | $64,440 | $797,800 | $1,886 | 9.3% | — |
| Wainaku | 1,023 | $62,880 | $456,100 | $1,438 | 4.8% | — |
| Olinda | 1,018 | $93,125 | $1,088,000 | $1,895 | 2.9% | — |
| Volcano Golf Course | 996 | $133,799 | $521,500 | — | 0.0% | — |
| Honalo | 981 | $54,947 | $579,500 | — | 3.0% | — |
| Halaula | 959 | $61,250 | $465,200 | $583 | 5.0% | — |
| Royal Hawaiian Estates | 958 | $59,858 | $203,200 | — | 2.1% | — |
| Laupahoehoe | 954 | $50,956 | $466,700 | $930 | 14.6% | — |
| Eden Roc | 920 | $24,515 | $187,500 | $704 | 25.6% | — |
| Punaluu | 917 | $83,929 | $687,500 | $1,892 | 4.4% | — |
| Naalehu | 890 | $54,688 | $190,100 | $1,181 | 4.4% | — |
| Waiahole-Waikane | 853 | $79,306 | — | $2,000 | 4.5% | — |
| Fern Forest | 824 | $28,036 | $166,800 | — | 2.1% | — |
| Mauna Loa Estates | 812 | $57,176 | $293,900 | — | 11.8% | — |
| Hana | 731 | $51,188 | $558,400 | $3,501 | 17.0% | — |
| Waikoloa Beach Resort | 662 | $73,125 | $1,043,300 | $3,501 | 5.2% | — |
| Launiupoko | 649 | $171,875 | $2,000,001 | $3,225 | 9.7% | — |
| Volcano | 608 | $81,875 | $563,200 | — | 0.3% | — |
| Paukaa | 561 | $85,750 | $490,700 | $1,250 | 1.9% | — |
| Paauilo | 548 | $66,250 | $346,500 | $1,208 | 14.0% | — |
| Haena | 501 | $108,906 | $1,185,300 | $2,611 | 6.3% | 74 |
| Ualapue | 480 | $54,457 | $293,000 | $1,972 | 0.0% | — |
| Honomu | 413 | $69,306 | $380,600 | $1,708 | 4.1% | — |
| Kapalua | 392 | $178,750 | $1,468,800 | $3,173 | 4.2% | — |
| Kukuihaele | 380 | $86,250 | — | $971 | 16.5% | — |
| Kawela Bay | 365 | $71,429 | $711,800 | $2,467 | 2.2% | — |
| Tiki Gardens | 324 | $18,739 | $168,500 | — | 84.0% | — |
| Pakala Village | 309 | — | — | $725 | 8.5% | 74 |
| Hanalei | 300 | $97,292 | $2,000,001 | $2,303 | 17.8% | 74 |
| Puako | 294 | $110,000 | $1,198,500 | $1,750 | 9.6% | — |
| Maunaloa | 279 | $51,842 | $344,400 | $766 | 2.4% | — |
| Kalihiwai | 256 | $98,333 | $1,604,200 | $2,063 | 8.1% | 74 |
| Seaview | 230 | — | $232,000 | — | 20.4% | — |
| Maalaea | 214 | $101,250 | $493,800 | $1,966 | 16.3% | — |
| Waiohinu | 210 | $82,500 | $391,700 | $1,083 | 15.4% | — |
| Black Sands | 179 | — | $101,200 | — | 0.0% | — |
| Makaha Valley | 158 | $250,000 | $1,510,400 | — | 8.9% | — |
| Makena | 158 | $148,750 | $2,000,001 | — | 4.3% | — |
| Kamaili | 156 | — | — | — | 0.0% | — |
| Wainiha | 130 | — | $884,600 | — | 9.8% | 74 |
| Olowalu | 88 | $101,250 | $953,100 | $2,250 | 0.0% | — |
| Kalapana | 56 | $27,212 | $252,500 | — | 64.7% | — |
| Manele | 44 | — | $2,000,001 | — | 0.0% | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kahului, HI is among the most affordable cities in Hawaii, with a cost of living index of 106 (US average = 100) and a median home value of $765,300. See the full ranking above.
Urban Honolulu, HI ranks among the safest cities in Hawaii, with a crime index of 63 (100 = U.S. average, lower is safer). Crime data from the FBI UCR Program.
East Honolulu, HI has one of the highest median household incomes in Hawaii at $151,224 per year. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.