Cost of Living in Waianae
Waianae's cost of living carries a real, disclosed tension this record names directly: lower home prices than Hawaii statewide, set against genuinely below-statewide incomes and an elevated cost-of-living index.
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Learn moreLower home prices, in real income context
Waianae's cited average home value (~$423,878-$584,917 depending on source) runs below Hawaii's own statewide average (~$658,867), but this record discloses that alongside Waianae's median household income of ~$81,733 -- genuinely below Hawaii's statewide figures (base record).
A real, cited cost-of-living index of 153
Waianae's cost-of-living index runs a real, cited 153 -- 53% above the national average -- a genuinely difficult figure set against local incomes this record does not soften (base record).
A real, cited poverty rate above the national average
Waianae's poverty rate runs approximately 16.2%, above the 12.5% national average -- a real, disclosed fact this record names directly (base record).
Hawaii's real 11% top income tax rate applies statewide
Hawaii's 12-bracket income tax (2026) tops out at 11%, applying in Waianae as everywhere on Oahu, alongside a full Social Security and employer-pension exemption and Oahu's genuinely low ~0.28% property tax rate (base record).
Key takeaways
- Waianae's home values run below Hawaii's statewide average, but local incomes run below-statewide too.
- A real, cited cost-of-living index of 153 (53% above the national average) creates genuine financial strain.
- Poverty runs at approximately 16.2%, above the 12.5% national average -- a real, disclosed fact.
- Hawaii's 11% top income tax rate and Oahu's ~0.28% property tax rate both apply in Waianae as statewide.
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