Cost of Living in Kekaha, HI

Population 3,482 · Hawaii · Data vintage 2023

168
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Kekaha sits on the smaller end of the Hawaii city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Rent burden runs high: typical rents of $2,188/month consume roughly 36% of median household income, past the 30% threshold most affordability frameworks flag as strained.

Located 130 miles west of Urban Honolulu, Kekaha is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Urban Honolulu's $834,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 169
Rent 167

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Kekaha

The median home value in Kekaha is $516,800 — 69% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,188/month, 67% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,011/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Hawaii's top state income tax rate is 11.0% and the combined sales tax is 4.4%. The climate averages highs of 83.5°F and lows of 68.6°F. Overall, Kekaha has a cost of living index of 168 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 68% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$516,800
69% above avg
Median Rent
$2,188/mo
67% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.3%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,597
1 BR
$1,625
2 BR
$2,135
3 BR
$2,810
4 BR
$3,324
Owner-occupied 67.6%
Renter-occupied 32.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,188
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,802/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.7 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
18.0%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
1.2%
Work from home
1.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 11.0%
Total Sales Tax 4.4%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 0.3%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$73,011
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,183
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.7%
Graduate degree 1.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40
Male median age 38.5
Female median age 41.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
83.5°F
Avg Low
68.6°F
Annual Precip
17.8"
Annual Snowfall
0"
60° 68° 75° 83° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 797981828486878887868482
Low °F 656466676971717372716967
Precip" 1.922.641.660.601.190.600.290.270.781.822.623.45

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kekaha, HI?

Kekaha has a cost index of 168 (100 = national average). It is 68% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kekaha, HI?

The median gross rent in Kekaha is $2,188 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kekaha?

The median home value in Kekaha is $516,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Kekaha?

The median household income in Kekaha is $73,011 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kekaha, HI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Kekaha is 4.4%. The Hawaii state income tax top rate is 11.0%.

Is Kekaha, HI affordable?

Kekaha is above average in cost of living, with an index of 168 — about 68% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Kekaha?

Kekaha has average high temperatures of 83.5°F and average lows of 68.6°F. Annual precipitation is 17.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kekaha at a Glance

Population
3,482
Median Income
$73,011
Home Value
$516,800
Median Rent
$2,188/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
83.5°F
Sales Tax
4.4%
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🗺️ County data for Hawaii

Explore county-level cost of living data

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