Cost of Living in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI

Population 10,242 · Hawaii · Data vintage 2023

191
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) run well above the national baseline, with a median of $653,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $89,268 place the city among the better-paid Hawaii metros.

Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) lies roughly 170 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Urban Honolulu — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Urban Honolulu's $834,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 214
Rent 155

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

About the Cost of Living in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County)

The median home value in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is $652,900 — 114% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,039/month, 55% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,268/year is 20% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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%. Overall, Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) has a cost of living index of 191 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 91% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$652,900
114% above avg
Median Rent
$2,039/mo
55% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.7x
Favors renting
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 72.6%
Renter-occupied 27.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,039
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,653/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
32.5 min
20% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.0%
Carpooled
14.0%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$89,268
20% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,599
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
8% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor Force Participation
65.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 17.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.2
Male median age 38
Female median age 43.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 23 — Good
92.1%
Good air days/yr
71
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI?

Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) has a cost index of 191 (100 = national average). It is 91% above the national average.

What is average rent in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI?

The median gross rent in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is $2,039 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County)?

The median home value in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is $652,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County)?

The median household income in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is $89,268 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is 4.4%. The Hawaii state income tax top rate is 11.0%.

Is Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), HI affordable?

Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is above average in cost of living, with an index of 191 — about 91% higher than the national average.

Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) at a Glance

Population
10,242
Median Income
$89,268
Home Value
$652,900
Median Rent
$2,039/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Sales Tax
4.4%
View all cities in Hawaii →
🗺️ County data for Hawaii

Explore county-level cost of living data

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