salaryRent is higher than in 81% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,000 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Hawaii. It is number 25 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kapaa?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kapaa
| Size | Kapaa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,171 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,065 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,537 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,057 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kapaa overall?
Everyday prices in Hawaii overall are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Kapaa, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Kapaa
Life in Kapaa
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kapaa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,626 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $861,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,130 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kapaa, HI?
Renting in Kapaa costs a median of about $2,350 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Kapaa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,000 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kapaa cheap or expensive?
Kapaa is rated OK: rent takes 29.2% of the typical household income of $96,501. It ranks 25th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kapaa?
The median homeowner in Kapaa pays $1,832 a year in property taxes, about 0.21% of the median home value.
Is Kapaa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Hawaii are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kapaa?
The median home value in Kapaa is $861,300, about 8.9 times the typical yearly household income.
11,094 people live in Kapaa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.