Cost of Living in Makawao, HI
Cost of Living in Makawao, HI has an overall index of 208, 108% above the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $1,100,444; typical monthly rent is $1,699; and median household income is $96,116.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Frequently asked questions about Makawao
Living in Makawao
Is Makawao, HI an expensive place to live?+
Yes — Makawao is about 108% more expensive than the national average, with an overall Cost Index of 208. Housing is the biggest factor: the typical home here is valued around $1,100,444, and monthly rents average roughly $1,699. Day-to-day costs like groceries and utilities tend to run higher than average as well.
How does Makawao fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,699, while local median household income is $96,116. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 21% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Makawao, HI?+
Hawaii uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 11% is top marginal-rate context from the tax snapshot. Applying the 0.28% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $1,100,444 gives a planning estimate near $3,081 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 4.44%.
How much does it cost to rent in Makawao, HI?+
The typical monthly rent in Makawao is around $1,699. That's about 26% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $1,100,444, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Makawao, HI?+
The typical home value in Makawao is $1,100,444. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $5,341/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 65% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Makawao?+
Grocery prices in Makawao are noticeably pricier compared to the rest of the US (index: 112, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 191). Both add meaningful weight to your monthly budget here.
What is Makawao, HI like to live in?+
Makawao is a small town with a population of about 7,263. The median age of residents is 43.5, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 10.53%, near the national average of 12.4%.