Retirement 2024: These Are the 10 Worst Places To Retire in Hawaii

Let’s be clear right off the bat: Hawaii is America’s tropical paradise. The entire state is blessed with spectacular natural views and the pleasant, warm climate many retirees crave. So, naming any place in Hawaii one of the 10 “worst” places to retire is certainly a relative designation. But there’s no denying that one of the main drawbacks to living in Hawaii, in general, is its high cost of living.

From expensive housing to pricey food and utility costs, you should plan on boosting your budget if you intend to retire in Hawaii. According to Ben Waterman, co-founder and COO of consumer portfolio tracking platform Strabo, “Generally, experts suggest that a comfortable living in Hawaii would require an annual income of at least $80,000 to $100,000 for a single person and around $125,000 to $150,000 for a family.” With that in mind, here’s a look at 10 of the “worst” places to retire in Hawaii, primarily due to excessive housing costs.

• Average home price: $1,227,800

According to Zillow, the average home price across all of Hawaii is $858,106. But in Koloa, home prices are roughly 43% on top of this already-high average. Located on the southern shores of Kauai, Koloa’s cost of living, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, utilities, child care, taxes and other necessities is 54.6% higher than the U.S. average.

• Average home price: $1,288,971

The beautifully named Haiku is located in North Maui and is home to famed surfing destination Peahi Beach. But it will cost a pretty penny to retire there. The cost of living in Haiku-Pauwela is 60.2% above the U.S. national average. Grocery costs are 6.8% above even the Hawaiian average, which itself runs more than 50% above the average across America.

• Average home price: $1,314,264

Laie is a sleepy enclave of about 5,000 residents on the northeast shores of Oahu known for its luau feasts at the Polynesian Cultural Center. While this lifestyle can be just what a retiree is looking for, expect to pay 71.5% above the national average in terms of costs. Transportation costs are more than 10% above the Hawaiian average.

• Average home price: $1,363,866

Kula is located smack dab in the middle of Maui, making it one of the few noncoastal destinations in Hawaii that’s also extremely pricey. Home to Maui Chocolate Coffee Tours and the Kula Botanical Garden, average expenses in Kula run more than 60% above the national average.

• Average home price: $1,399,343

Princeville is a famed destination on the northern shores of beautiful Kauai, and it’s highly sought after by retirees. Unfortunately, some are astonished when they get there at just how expensive this pricey enclave of 2,000 residents really is. Utilities, for example, are double the national average.

• Average home price: $1,471,866

Kailua is located in Honolulu County on the island of Oahu, near some of the biggest attractions in Hawaii. The city of 40,000 offers most of the types of services that retirees desire, but expenses are off the charts. Every single basic expense runs above the national average, and sometimes decidedly so. On top of soaring home prices, “miscellaneous” expenses are 24.3% above the national average.

• Average home price: $1,624,616

Haleiwa is a small town of 4,700 residents on Oahu’s famed North Shore. Houses cost nearly five times the national average, and there are no breaks to be had with other common expenses either. Groceries, transportation, utilities and miscellaneous costs all run 24% to 76% above the national averages.

• Average home price: $1,637,860

Kilauea is located in a relatively remote and even more unspoiled area of Hawaii, east of Princeville on the north shores of Kauai. Housing prices are sky-high, but overall, the distribution of costs in Kilauea is unique. While residents pay more than 150% of the national average for all costs combined, some expenses — including transportation and miscellaneous — are actually below the national average.

• Average home price: $2,179,065

Puako is a tiny sliver of land located in one of the most idyllic spots on the northwest shores of the Big Island of Hawaii. Home to some top-tier resorts, the town of 294 residents has an overall cost of living about 32% above the national average, with utilities coming in at 92% above average. 

• Average home price: $4,201,063

Hanalei home prices are off the charts, meaning even if other expenses were low, the town would be a tough place for most retirees to live. Located along the beautiful Na Pali Coast, Hanalei boasts just 300 residents who pay dearly for the privilege. On top of the astronomical housing costs, groceries run about 77% above the national average while utilities cost nearly double what the average American pays.