salaryRent is higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $103,000 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Hawaii. It is number 31 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lihue?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lihue
| Size | Lihue | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,016 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,364 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,872 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lihue 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 Lihue, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Lihue
Life in Lihue
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lihue?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,521 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $878,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $87,850 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lihue, HI?
Renting in Lihue costs a median of about $2,575 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Lihue?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $103,000 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lihue cheap or expensive?
Lihue is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.9% of the typical household income of $100,139. It ranks 31st cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lihue?
The median homeowner in Lihue pays $1,848 a year in property taxes, about 0.21% of the median home value.
Is Lihue 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 Lihue?
The median home value in Lihue is $878,500, about 8.8 times the typical yearly household income.
7,901 people live in Lihue. Numbers are typical (middle) values.