Honolulu, HI vs Kahului, HI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kahului, HI is 1.4% less expensive than Honolulu, HI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Honolulu works out to about $73,900 in Kahului, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 12.1% less in Kahului. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $3,208 a month in Kahului and $3,015 in Honolulu, $2,316 a year more in Kahului (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $982,000 in Kahului and $856,000 in Honolulu.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Kahului was 3.4% less expensive than Honolulu.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 12.1% lower in Kahului than in Honolulu
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
All items Honolulu, HI: 111.0 Kahului, HI: 109.4
Goods Honolulu, HI: 111.6 Kahului, HI: 111.6
Housing (rents) Honolulu, HI: 135.5 Kahului, HI: 119.2
Utilities Honolulu, HI: 187.3 Kahului, HI: 190.6
Other services Honolulu, HI: 102.9 Kahului, HI: 102.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.0 | 109.4 |
| Goods | 111.6 | 111.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.5 | 119.2 |
| Utilities | 187.3 | 190.6 |
| Other services | 102.9 | 102.9 |
| Category | Honolulu | Kahului | Kahului vs Honolulu |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.0 | 109.4 | −1.4% |
| Goods | 111.6 | 111.6 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 135.5 | 119.2 | −12.1% |
| Utilities | 187.3 | 190.6 | +1.8% |
| Other services | 102.9 | 102.9 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,015 | $3,208 | +6.4% |
| Typical home value | $856,000 | $982,000 | +14.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Honolulu | $75,000 | $73,900 | −1.4% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Honolulu and Kahului has narrowed since 2008: 4.4 points then, 1.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 111.9 | 107.5 |
| 2009 | 117.6 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 112.4 | 103.9 |
| 2011 | 113.1 | 104.9 |
| 2012 | 112.4 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 115.7 | 107.2 |
| 2014 | 114.6 | 102.8 |
| 2015 | 114.0 | 109.0 |
| 2016 | 113.4 | 102.9 |
| 2017 | 113.6 | 104.7 |
| 2018 | 112.8 | 109.2 |
| 2019 | 113.2 | 109.3 |
| 2020 | 115.7 | 111.5 |
| 2021 | 114.1 | 111.2 |
| 2022 | 113.1 | 108.8 |
| 2023 | 111.4 | 107.2 |
| 2024 | 111.0 | 109.4 |
Goods
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.4 | 100.5 |
| 2009 | 112.3 | 100.4 |
| 2010 | 112.3 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 112.8 | 98.1 |
| 2012 | 109.8 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 114.8 | 96.3 |
| 2014 | 114.2 | 97.9 |
| 2015 | 113.6 | 103.4 |
| 2016 | 115.7 | 104.5 |
| 2017 | 117.6 | 101.6 |
| 2018 | 116.6 | 116.6 |
| 2019 | 115.3 | 115.3 |
| 2020 | 112.4 | 112.4 |
| 2021 | 110.1 | 110.1 |
| 2022 | 112.0 | 112.0 |
| 2023 | 110.3 | 110.3 |
| 2024 | 111.6 | 111.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 166.3 | 135.4 |
| 2009 | 175.2 | 102.1 |
| 2010 | 160.8 | 123.2 |
| 2011 | 162.0 | 129.0 |
| 2012 | 165.4 | 118.1 |
| 2013 | 171.5 | 146.2 |
| 2014 | 173.0 | 115.0 |
| 2015 | 176.5 | 144.1 |
| 2016 | 158.3 | 113.4 |
| 2017 | 174.1 | 121.3 |
| 2018 | 162.3 | 127.0 |
| 2019 | 158.0 | 122.6 |
| 2020 | 159.0 | 121.0 |
| 2021 | 155.3 | 128.2 |
| 2022 | 148.6 | 116.1 |
| 2023 | 143.4 | 111.4 |
| 2024 | 135.5 | 119.2 |
Utilities
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 266.0 | 140.1 |
| 2009 | 219.0 | 122.1 |
| 2010 | 161.1 | 156.2 |
| 2011 | 222.2 | 187.9 |
| 2012 | 218.6 | 178.2 |
| 2013 | 225.5 | 171.0 |
| 2014 | 206.8 | 159.7 |
| 2015 | 186.6 | 148.2 |
| 2016 | 171.0 | 155.6 |
| 2017 | 175.7 | 150.3 |
| 2018 | 191.1 | 200.2 |
| 2019 | 200.7 | 208.4 |
| 2020 | 187.1 | 192.9 |
| 2021 | 178.0 | 187.0 |
| 2022 | 191.8 | 200.3 |
| 2023 | 190.3 | 187.9 |
| 2024 | 187.3 | 190.6 |
Other services
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 101.9 |
| 2009 | 104.9 | 100.0 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 97.9 |
| 2011 | 99.6 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.5 | 98.2 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 100.4 |
| 2014 | 99.7 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 99.5 | 100.5 |
| 2016 | 100.0 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 97.6 | 100.1 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 100.2 | 100.2 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 104.0 |
| 2021 | 104.4 | 104.4 |
| 2022 | 102.8 | 102.8 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 102.1 |
| 2024 | 102.9 | 102.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,208 in Kahului vs $3,015 in Honolulu
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $2,001 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,031 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $2,046 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $2,060 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,054 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,079 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,069 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,060 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,098 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,116 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,114 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,125 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,134 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,152 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,158 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,159 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,188 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,196 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,222 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,216 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,227 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,204 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,211 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,233 | $1,988 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,287 | $2,261 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,361 | $2,456 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,453 | $2,471 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,464 | $2,601 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,516 | $2,700 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,540 | $2,721 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,566 | $2,699 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,562 | $2,890 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,608 | $2,822 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,635 | $2,858 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,650 | $2,937 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,654 | $2,982 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,700 | $3,270 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,738 | $3,185 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,763 | $3,080 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,792 | $3,084 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,808 | $3,129 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,872 | $3,084 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,897 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,915 | $3,035 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,947 | $3,130 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,015 | $3,230 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,015 | $3,208 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $982,000 in Kahului vs $856,000 in Honolulu
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Honolulu, HI
- Kahului, HI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Honolulu, HI | Kahului, HI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $547K | $537K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $550K | $549K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $560K | $560K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $568K | $571K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $577K | $571K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $583K | $580K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $594K | $589K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $606K | $592K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $615K | $595K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $623K | $608K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $630K | $620K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $640K | $628K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $648K | $630K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $656K | $641K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $661K | $651K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $661K | $658K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $660K | $659K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $662K | $670K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $660K | $676K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $660K | $684K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $665K | $696K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $666K | $702K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $670K | $714K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $689K | $746K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $710K | $771K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $745K | $801K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $765K | $827K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $785K | $863K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $845K | $945K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $881K | $1.02M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $870K | $1.03M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $856K | $1.02M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $838K | $1.01M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $845K | $1.02M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $848K | $1.04M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $845K | $1.03M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $845K | $1.05M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $851K | $1.07M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $849K | $1.09M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $852K | $1.08M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $848K | $1.07M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $838K | $1.04M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $834K | $1.01M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $843K | $1.01M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $848K | $1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $846K | $988K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $856K | $982K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.