When we think about Hawaii, we instantly picture seashells, sand, and pristine waves. This place undoubtedly offers unparalleled natural landscapes. So you will definitely never get enough of the aloha spirit when you live here. The common misconception about moving here is the exceptionally high cost of living. While that is overall true, you can find ways to live here sustainably.
In this blog post, we will help you choose among The 5 Cheapest Places to Live in Hawaii if you ever wish to settle down in the magical paradise of The Aloha State!
Cheapest Places to Live in Hawaii
#5 Hilo
Before we get into this first location on our list, let me tell you how much an average home in Hawaii costs. From the Zillow website, the typical home value of homes in Hawaii is $795,879. So it will be challenging to find affordable homes in the area. But if you stick until the end of the video, I will give you some useful tips to save some money when living in Hawaii.
So back to Hilo. This is the place for people who prefer big cities and lively streets. According to the Rocket Homes website, homes in Hilo have a median price of $399,738. Furthermore, people here also enjoy the proximity to the Airport, so it will be easier for you to travel. Aside from that, a lot of people choose to move to Hilo for their fresh and unique cuisine.
#4 Kauai County
Speaking of cuisine, moving to Kauai will give you endless exceptional food options. For one, you will definitely want to try Lomilomi salmon. In this traditional side dish, raw salmon is massaged with salt, onions, and occasionally kid before being served with tomatoes. Other dishes you will want to taste include Huli Huli chicken, Poke, Poi, Loco moco, and Saimin.
Now let’s talk about affordability. The AreVibes website revealed that the homes in Kauai County are valued at an average of $378,300. While this may be a little pricey to some places in America, according to Clever, the additional income helps offset the high cost of living in the area, making it one of the cheapest areas to reside in the entire state. The Best Places website estimates that the median household income in Kauai County residents is $62,946 a year.
#3 Kaunakakai
This next location is one of the largest towns in Molokaʻi. The song “The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai” made the town famous in the 1930s. It was this song that started the continuous custom of designating an honorary mayor for the village. There is a lot to love here. For one, the beaches are beyond gorgeous and refreshing. People from around the world also come here to see and enjoy the farms across the city.
In terms of affordability, the prices of homes here are not that far from Kauai County. From recent figures released by the Realtor website, we found that people who live in Kaunakakai are offered a median home price of $350,000.
#2 Waianae
It is now time to admire the wonders of Waianae, Hawaii. On the surface level, the best part of this place may be the mountain range. This is the most active volcanic location on the island, and it has been active for thousands of years. You will also be amazed at the majestic animals that live in the waters of the place. Here, you may encounter dolphins and whales of many species.
But most importantly, the housing here is also very affordable compared to the Hawaiian standard. As per recent figures released by the AreaVibes website, we found out that the median home value in Waianae is $322,200.
#1 Pahala
Finally, before we get into how you can save money in Hawaii, let us give much recognition to the cheapest city to live in here. According to the Zillow website, the typical home in Pahala is valued at $292,644. And from AreaVibes, we found that the cost of living in the city is 26% lower than in Hawaii.
When you move or even visit here, make sure that you do not miss out on the coffee and cultural scene here. But if you genuinely want to have fun and make memories here, visit the beaches. Even if you go here just for vacation, make sure that you swim in the waters of the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.
So, how are we going to save money in Hawaii?
For starters, the main reasons why Hawaii is expensive are the taxes and housing costs. But now that you know where to find affordable properties, let’s talk about the other helpful tips.
When living here, you should choose to shop locally for more affordable prices. And especially when living alone, remember that you do not need a big space. Since you already have an idea of how costly properties are, you should make the conscious decision to downsize. When you live in that space that is suitable for only you, you will find yourself changing your purchasing habits. Once you recognize that you don’t need all of the things you currently own, your new outlook will assist you in refraining from purchasing other items that you don’t require.
Basically, this means choosing to live simply. And this does not only apply to Hawaii. Another way to save money while adding activity to your day-to-day routine is to use bikes to move around the city.
Lastly, if you really want to live sustainably in Hawaii, you can start growing your own food in your backyard. Since almost anything can grow here, you can start by growing tomatoes or lettuce.
