What is the cost of living in Waimalu, HI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Waimalu has an overall cost of living index of 154, which is 1.5x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Hawaii, Waimalu has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Hawaii's index of 163.
The standard of living in Waimalu ranks as #8 most affordable out of the 52 places we measured in Hawaii. By definition, that implies Waimalu ranks as the #44 most expensive place in the Aloha State.
For more reading on life in Waimalu, check out:
Waimalu Cost Of Living Vs. Hawaii
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Waimalu. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Waimalu is 128.
The Groceries index in Waimalu is 120.
The Health index in Waimalu is 227.
The Housing index in Waimalu is 120.
The Transportation index in Waimalu is 127.
The Utilities index in Waimalu is 129.
| Living Expense | Waimalu | Hawaii | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 154 | 163 | 100 |
| Services | 128 | 124 | 100 |
| Groceries | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Health | 227 | 253 | 100 |
| Housing | 120 | 123 | 100 |
| Transportation | 127 | 132 | 100 |
| Utilities | 129 | 128 | 100 |
Waimalu Cost Of Living Compared To Hawaii Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Hawaii, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Waimalu Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Waimalu, HI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Hawaii, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Waimalu is $593,430.
The Median Rent in Waimalu is $1,931.
The Median Income in Waimalu is $89,232.
The Home Value To Income in Waimalu is 6.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Waimalu is 0.26x.
Waimalu, HI Costs By Category
Detailed Waimalu Services costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Waimalu Groceries costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Waimalu Health costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Waimalu Transportation costs vs. Hawaii
Waimalu SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Waimalu
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Waimalu. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
East Honolulu, HI has a cost of living index of 224, 1.5x Waimalu.
Waipahu, HI has a cost of living index of 173, 1.1x Waimalu.
Kaneohe, HI has a cost of living index of 201, 1.3x Waimalu.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Waimalu |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Honolulu, HI | 51,360 | 224 | 1.5x |
| Waipahu, HI | 40,482 | 173 | 1.1x |
| Kaneohe, HI | 37,355 | 201 | 1.3x |
| Kapolei, HI | 22,232 | 175 | 1.1x |
| Mililani Mauka, HI | 21,278 | 192 | 1.2x |
| Ocean Pointe, HI | 17,085 | 191 | 1.2x |
| Halawa, HI | 14,385 | 198 | 1.3x |
| Royal Kunia, HI | 13,555 | 181 | 1.2x |
| Waipio, HI | 10,870 | 169 | 1.1x |
| Hickam Housing, HI | 9,425 | 188 | 1.2x |
