Our List of the 15 Cheapest Places to Live in Hawaii

Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauaʻi

With a cost of living that’s at least 65% above the U.S. average, Hawaiʻi is often ranked as the most expensive U.S. state to live in. Given these numbers, it’s easy to see why there are so many searches for the cheapest places to live in Hawaiʻi.

We’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve put together a list of the 15 most affordable places to live in Hawaiʻi, with locations on each of the four major islands

Oʻahu

With the second-lowest typical home value in the Hawaiian Islands—$867,802, according to Zillow—Oʻahu can be a great place to start your search for an affordable place to live. On Oʻahu, you’ll find a number of different landscapes and neighborhoods to choose from, plus the extensive resources and amenities in Honolulu, all of which can offer an easy transition from the mainland.

Kāneʻohe (96744)

Life is beautiful in Kāneʻohe, especially with the backdrop of Oʻahu’s Koʻolau Mountains to enjoy every day. Setting up in Kāneʻohe can mean a long commute into town in the mornings and evenings, but plenty of people find a way to make it work so they can enjoy life on Oahu’s Windward Coast.

Looking at the numbers above, you might not feel like Kāneʻohe is a “cheap” place to live. However, you’ll find properties well under the 2022 average in Kāneʻohe, including condo units and single-family homes. It’s definitely a neighborhood worth exploring, especially if you’re moving with your family.

Waiʻanae (96792)

You’ll see Waiʻanae on a lot of “cheapest places in Hawaii to live” lists. Looking at the numbers (and the real estate listings) it’s easy to see why. However, while Waiʻanae has a reputation for affordable real estate, it also has a reputation for being an insular community that can feel tough to break into, especially if you’re a newcomer to Hawaiʻi.

As with all these neighborhoods, make sure you visit multiple times—at different points throughout the day—to get a real feel for the area before getting your heart set on a particular property.

Waipahu (96797)

Waipahu’s central location makes it a convenient place to live on Oʻahu. In addition to the attractive home prices in Waipahu, you’ll also find a variety of housing types—new builds as well as existing structures you can put your own finishing touch on.

Although living in Waipahu has traditionally meant a long commute into town, the opening of the Honolulu Rail system might make commuting from the area significantly easier—and faster.

ʻEwa Beach (96706)

If you’re searching for a single-family home, ʻEwa Beach offers families a good amount of space for their budgets. You’ll also find a number of servicemembers in the neighborhoods within ʻEwa since it’s fairly close to Schofield Barracks Army Base and Air Station Barbers Point.

Finally, if you’re interested in a new-build home with modern appliances, you’ll find plenty of properties in ʻEwa that are move-in ready—no renovations or updates needed

Honolulu

You might be surprised to see Honolulu in this list, but hear us out on this one.

If you want to live in Hawaiʻi for a set period of time and you’re not that interested in actually owning the property, you might consider a leasehold property in Honolulu. A leasehold is a form of long-term lease that means you can live in a Honolulu condo for 30, 40, or even 50 years for a much lower price than buying a condo. It’s a very specific type of arrangement that isn’t for everyone, but it’s one way to do Hawaiʻi for cheap(er).

Or, if you’re simply on a set budget and don’t need a ton of space, maybe a condominium in Honolulu is right for you. (Look for a “fee simple” listing, which means outright ownership as opposed to a leasehold.) While you might not get the optimal value for your money—and you’ll need to factor in a monthly HOA/condo fee as well as condo insurance—it’s one way to get your own slice of paradise for less than a single-family home.

Maui

Zillow pegs the average home value on Maui at $975,519—the highest in the Hawaiian Islands. As a result, “bargains” on Maui are few and far between. But we’d never say never—so we’ve listed three areas on Maui that offer a jumping-off point for finding an affordable slice of the Valley Isle.

Waikapū/Wailuku (96793)

This zip code encompasses a significant swath of West Maui, including areas like Wailuku, Wailuku Heights, Waikapū, Waheʻe-Waiehu, and Maʻalea. You’ll find a broad variety of properties in the area, from family-friendly, new-build subdivisions to condominiums to single-family homes on their own acreage. Plus, this area’s central location means easy access to everything the Valley Isle has to offer.

Kahului (96732)

Living in Kahului means you’ll never be far from all of Maui’s amenities, including grocery stores, banks, gas stations, Costco, the airport, the hospital, and many of the island’s medical facilities. While Kahului can feel a little more urban than the rest of Maui, you can’t beat the convenience—and some of the prices in Kahului are the most affordable on the island.

Haʻikū-Paʻuwela (96708)

From these numbers, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela—and the other areas it encompasses, including Keʻanae and Wailuā—may not look like the cheapest place to live. However, along this area of Maui’s north shore, you’ll find a mix of large estates plus single-family homes on modest acreage. The estates tend to drag the averages higher. You may be able to find something a little more reasonable, especially if you purchase from someone who’s split a larger property into multiple parcels.

Big Island (Hawaiʻi)

With an average home value of $546,001, as reported by Zillow, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi is a great place for bargain-hunters to start their search. Just be aware that life on the Big Island is a lot more rural than you might be used to. Community roads may be paved—or not. You may need to bring your own utilities for particularly isolated properties. But if it’s peace and quiet you crave, the Big Island delivers in spades.

Pāhoa (96778)

Pāhoa is another one of those spots that often hits the top of the “cheapest places to live in Hawaii” lists. Located in the Puna district, Pāhoa sits in Lava Zone 2 because of its proximity to the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. In fact, it’s just north of Leilani Estates (Lava Zone 1) where more than 700 homes were destroyed in the 2018 lava flow.

If you’re comfortable with a little risk, you’ll find plenty of charm in the town—and plenty of affordable real estate.

Mountain View (96771)

Mountain View offers its residents a serene, rural feel. Subdivisions intermingle with single family homes, farms, and ranches. As with many other locations on the Big Island, living in Mountain View means getting your water through a catchment (rainwater) system. Cell phone service and Internet access can also be spotty, so if you’re planning to work remotely, make sure you do your research before committing to a home in the area.

Hilo (96720)

Hilo might not be the cheapest place to live on the Big Island, but it’s one of the cheaper “cities” in the Hawaiian Islands. (Did you know that Hilo is the third largest urban area in Hawaii, behind Urban and East Honolulu?) Settling down in and around Hilo means access to all the amenities of this cultural hub. If you’re not quite ready for the off-the-grid living of the Big Island’s more remote areas, Hilo might be the perfect choice. (And an affordable one!)

Kauaʻi

Zillow reports Kauaʻi’s average home value at $891,783, the second-highest in the Hawaiian Islands. Although that means that Kauaʻi can be a tough place to find a “cheap” home, the three areas below are at least a good place to start your search.

Kehaka (96752) / Waimea (96796)

Kauaʻi’s south shore is hot, sunny, and dry—exactly what many people dream of when they think about living in Hawaiʻi. As you drive farther and farther west, you’ll start to leave Kauaʻi’s resort areas behind for a quieter, more remote atmosphere. In and around Kekaha and Waimea, you’ll find single family homes, as well as empty lots waiting for you to put your own stamp on them.

Kapaʻa (96746)

Located just up the road from Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa is a bit removed from the busier surroundings in the island’s commercial center. You’ll still find plenty of amenities in Kapaʻa—shops, restaurants, and the Ke Ala Hele Makālae multi-use path, which offers gorgeous coastal views. You’ll also find a variety of home types in the area—condos, townhouses, and single-family homes—so you can choose the one that’s right for you and your budget.

Līhuʻe (96766)

As Kauaʻi’s center of commerce, Līhuʻe is the island’s central hub of activity. If it’s convenience you’re after—plus a central jumping-off point to explore the rest of the island—Līhuʻe is a great choice. You’ll also find a number of condos in the area, which can deliver a delightfully low-maintenance lifestyle.

Finding Hawaiʻi’s Most Affordable Places to Live

Living in paradise comes at a price. However, more than 1.4 million people have made it work, so why not you? With this list of the cheapest places to live in Hawaiʻi, you’ll have a solid foundation for further research. Then, when the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be ready to pounce.

Need some help making a safe, easy, and affordable move to Hawaiʻi? Our experts would be happy to help! Just reach out for a free quote to get started. We have options for all sizes of moves—and all budgets.

Data Sources: zillow.com, lookups.melissa.com, craigslist.org