There is no doubt about it: the cost of living in Hawaii is high. However, if you do some research, you will find that life in many of Hawaii’s smaller, younger towns is much more affordable than big cities with lots of amenities. Whether you’ve dreamed of living in Hawaii your entire life, or you are living paycheck to paycheck but aren’t ready to leave the only home you’ve ever known, consider a move to any of these 13 Hawaiian towns, which represent some of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii!
- Laie, Oahu
Allie/Flickr Laie is a charming and well-known community of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is home to the Laie Hawaii Temple, the fifth oldest currently operating Mormon temple in the world. The Polynesian Cultural Center, the state’s largest living museum, brings in millions of visitors each year. Laie, HI 96762, USA
- Wailuku, Maui
Emmett Anderson/Flickr With rich history and culture, Wailuku is a great city for those who love to walk or bike everywhere, and it is more affordable because it has been overshadowed by nearby Kahului. It’s one of our favorite towns in all of Hawaii, in fact! Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
- Kurtistown, Big Island
Joel Abroad/Flickr With easy access to amenities in Hilo, Kurtistown is home to a lush, tropical setting that receives a lot more rain than the leeward coast. Kurtistown, HI, USA
- Waimea, Kauai
Robert Linsdell/Flickr Waimea serves as the gateway to Waimea Canyon as well as Kokee State Park, making this the perfect spot for explorers. In addition to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the town is also home to two supermarkets, and a variety of shops and businesses. Waimea, HI 96743, USA
- Wahiawa, Oahu
Sean Munson/Flickr Located in central Oahu, Wahiawa is close to legendary north shore beaches, but can be a pretty killer commute to Honolulu. Wahiawa, HI 96786, USA
- Haiku, Maui
Ken Lund/Flickr Located in northern Maui, Haiku is pretty rustic and perfect for those seeking simplicity. It is also close to Hookipa Beach, a premier spot for windsurfing. Haiku, Hawaii 96708, USA
- Kaunakakai, Molokai
Patrick McNally/Flickr Living on Molokai is only advised if you want to be off the grid and experience true Hawaii – there are few amenities and job opportunities, but the island is home to some incredible beaches. Moloka‘i, Hawaii, USA
- Lihue, Kauai
Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr As Kauai’s capital, Lihue is home to the island’s main airport, several shopping centers, and a major ship harbor. Lihue, HI 96766, USA
- Waianae, Oahu
Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr Within easy driving distance to some great amenities in Kapolei, Waianae is also home to some of the island’s most beautiful, less popular beaches and scenic hiking trails. Waianae, HI 96792, USA
- Hana, Maui
Derek Fung/Flickr Located in east Maui, Hana is relatively isolated, and experiences more rain than the leeward coast. However, it is full of lush, tropical gardens, incredible black and red sand beaches, and has plenty of “Old Hawaii” charm. Hana, HI 96713, USA
- Pahala, Big Island
Ken Lund/Flickr Nestled between Kau Forest Reserve and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pahala is perfect for those who want to get away from it all and live in a rural and remote setting. Pahala, HI 96777, USA
- Kapa’a, Kauai
John Verive/Flickr As the largest city on Kauai, Kapa’a can experience heavy traffic, but it is full of shopping and dining options, as well as having access to some gorgeous beaches. Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA
- Kahuku, Oahu
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr Hailed as the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” Kahuku is in a prime location to enjoy all Oahu’s north shore has to offer, while also maintaining high-performing schools, including strong high school athletic programs. Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
Do you live in any of these towns? Did we miss any other more of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Allie/Flickr
Laie is a charming and well-known community of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is home to the Laie Hawaii Temple, the fifth oldest currently operating Mormon temple in the world. The Polynesian Cultural Center, the state’s largest living museum, brings in millions of visitors each year.
Laie, HI 96762, USA
Emmett Anderson/Flickr
With rich history and culture, Wailuku is a great city for those who love to walk or bike everywhere, and it is more affordable because it has been overshadowed by nearby Kahului. It’s one of our favorite towns in all of Hawaii, in fact!
Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
Joel Abroad/Flickr
With easy access to amenities in Hilo, Kurtistown is home to a lush, tropical setting that receives a lot more rain than the leeward coast.
Kurtistown, HI, USA
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
Waimea serves as the gateway to Waimea Canyon as well as Kokee State Park, making this the perfect spot for explorers. In addition to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the town is also home to two supermarkets, and a variety of shops and businesses.
Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Sean Munson/Flickr
Located in central Oahu, Wahiawa is close to legendary north shore beaches, but can be a pretty killer commute to Honolulu.
Wahiawa, HI 96786, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
Located in northern Maui, Haiku is pretty rustic and perfect for those seeking simplicity. It is also close to Hookipa Beach, a premier spot for windsurfing.
Haiku, Hawaii 96708, USA
Patrick McNally/Flickr
Living on Molokai is only advised if you want to be off the grid and experience true Hawaii – there are few amenities and job opportunities, but the island is home to some incredible beaches.
Moloka‘i, Hawaii, USA
Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr
As Kauai’s capital, Lihue is home to the island’s main airport, several shopping centers, and a major ship harbor.
Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr
Within easy driving distance to some great amenities in Kapolei, Waianae is also home to some of the island’s most beautiful, less popular beaches and scenic hiking trails.
Waianae, HI 96792, USA
Derek Fung/Flickr
Located in east Maui, Hana is relatively isolated, and experiences more rain than the leeward coast. However, it is full of lush, tropical gardens, incredible black and red sand beaches, and has plenty of “Old Hawaii” charm.
Hana, HI 96713, USA
Nestled between Kau Forest Reserve and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pahala is perfect for those who want to get away from it all and live in a rural and remote setting.
Pahala, HI 96777, USA
John Verive/Flickr
As the largest city on Kauai, Kapa’a can experience heavy traffic, but it is full of shopping and dining options, as well as having access to some gorgeous beaches.
Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr
Hailed as the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” Kahuku is in a prime location to enjoy all Oahu’s north shore has to offer, while also maintaining high-performing schools, including strong high school athletic programs.
Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
While the Aloha State might not be the cheapest place to live, we absolutely love it here and think it’s the best place to live!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Cheapest places to live in Hawaii August 01, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best places for families to live in Hawaii? If you are considering planting roots in Hawaii, you’ve made the right decision! A laid-back lifestyle, amazing beaches, phenomenal outdoor activities, and a great deal of culture make Hawaii an excellent choice to raise your family. But how do you choose an island – let alone a city? Luckily, we have nine of the best places in Hawaii to live for families outlined in this article. Among those listed, we’re partial to Wailuku. Why? Well, Maui has repeatedly been named the best island to raise a family by numerous publications; notably for its outdoor activities, cultural significance and history, as well as natural beauty. And nowhere on the island is better than Wailuku. Because Wailuku – along with its neighbor, Kahului – comprises the major business, commercial and industrial center of the island, commutes are short. A plethora of outdoor activities for the weekends makes it a great place to spend time with your kids! Another great town in Hawaii to raise a family is Haiku. Not only is this small Maui community full of lush green space and close to some stellar surfing spots, but Haiku Elementary has been recognized by the state for continuing excellence in math and language arts. Come see why this is one of our favorite small towns in Hawaii in this feature article! What are the safest cities in Hawaii? The Aloha State is, by and large, a very safe state in which to live, but there are some towns that really go above and beyond in terms of safety statistics. Kaumakai is a place that is often lauded as the safest in Hawaii, as are the towns of Kalaupapa, Hanalei, Kilauea, Kilauea, and Mililani Town. Read more about these towns, as well as the other places known as the safest cities in Hawaii, in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Cheapest places to live in Hawaii
August 01, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best places for families to live in Hawaii? If you are considering planting roots in Hawaii, you’ve made the right decision! A laid-back lifestyle, amazing beaches, phenomenal outdoor activities, and a great deal of culture make Hawaii an excellent choice to raise your family. But how do you choose an island – let alone a city? Luckily, we have nine of the best places in Hawaii to live for families outlined in this article. Among those listed, we’re partial to Wailuku. Why? Well, Maui has repeatedly been named the best island to raise a family by numerous publications; notably for its outdoor activities, cultural significance and history, as well as natural beauty. And nowhere on the island is better than Wailuku. Because Wailuku – along with its neighbor, Kahului – comprises the major business, commercial and industrial center of the island, commutes are short. A plethora of outdoor activities for the weekends makes it a great place to spend time with your kids! Another great town in Hawaii to raise a family is Haiku. Not only is this small Maui community full of lush green space and close to some stellar surfing spots, but Haiku Elementary has been recognized by the state for continuing excellence in math and language arts. Come see why this is one of our favorite small towns in Hawaii in this feature article! What are the safest cities in Hawaii? The Aloha State is, by and large, a very safe state in which to live, but there are some towns that really go above and beyond in terms of safety statistics. Kaumakai is a place that is often lauded as the safest in Hawaii, as are the towns of Kalaupapa, Hanalei, Kilauea, Kilauea, and Mililani Town. Read more about these towns, as well as the other places known as the safest cities in Hawaii, in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you are considering planting roots in Hawaii, you’ve made the right decision! A laid-back lifestyle, amazing beaches, phenomenal outdoor activities, and a great deal of culture make Hawaii an excellent choice to raise your family. But how do you choose an island – let alone a city? Luckily, we have nine of the best places in Hawaii to live for families outlined in this article. Among those listed, we’re partial to Wailuku. Why? Well, Maui has repeatedly been named the best island to raise a family by numerous publications; notably for its outdoor activities, cultural significance and history, as well as natural beauty. And nowhere on the island is better than Wailuku. Because Wailuku – along with its neighbor, Kahului – comprises the major business, commercial and industrial center of the island, commutes are short. A plethora of outdoor activities for the weekends makes it a great place to spend time with your kids! Another great town in Hawaii to raise a family is Haiku. Not only is this small Maui community full of lush green space and close to some stellar surfing spots, but Haiku Elementary has been recognized by the state for continuing excellence in math and language arts. Come see why this is one of our favorite small towns in Hawaii in this feature article!
What are the safest cities in Hawaii?
The Aloha State is, by and large, a very safe state in which to live, but there are some towns that really go above and beyond in terms of safety statistics. Kaumakai is a place that is often lauded as the safest in Hawaii, as are the towns of Kalaupapa, Hanalei, Kilauea, Kilauea, and Mililani Town. Read more about these towns, as well as the other places known as the safest cities in Hawaii, in this article.
