Living in Kailua, Hawaii
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kailua · Census data 2020–2024
Kailua has 21,818 residents with a median age of 41.6. The median household income is $88,211 (12% lower than the Hawaii median), the median home value is $667,400, the median rent is $1,754/month.
Kailua at a glance
- Population
- 21,818
- Median age
- 41.6State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $88,211State: $100,389
- Median home value
- $667,400State: $839,100
- Median rent
- $1,754/moState: $1,971
- Homeowners
- 67%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.6%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Kailua a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 20% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Hawaii median; a poverty rate of 14.3%.
The weather is best in November to February.
Cost of living in Kailua
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kailua the median home value is $667,400, 101% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,754 per month, which is 27.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,647 a month in housing costs.
Kailua median household income
The median household income in Kailua is $88,211 and the income per person is $45,971. 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Hawaii: 10%).
Housing in Kailua: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,923
- Owner-occupied
- 67%
- Renter-occupied
- 33%
- Vacant
- 23.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.83
Kailua demographics
- Population
- 21,818
- Median age
- 41.6
- Under 18
- 20.3%
- 65 and older
- 19.7%
- Households
- 7,598
- Foreign-born
- 19.6%
- Veterans
- 6.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kailua ›
Education in Kailua
33.6% of adults 25 and older in Kailua have a bachelor's degree or higher (Hawaii: 36.1%), and 12.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kailua
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 10.2%
- Drive alone
- 62.1%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.4%
Kailua vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua | 21,818 | $88,211 | $667,400 | $1,754 |
| Holualoa | 3,434 | $115,972 | $1,115,600 | $2,041 |
| Kahaluu-Keauhou | 5,150 | $96,212 | $886,900 | $1,901 |
| Kaloko | 1,432 | $103,654 | $1,308,600 | $1,758 |
| Kaiminani | 11,465 | $110,560 | $772,800 | $1,202 |
| Honalo | 1,071 | $63,125 | $590,300 | — |
| Kealakekua | 1,919 | $102,772 | $643,600 | $965 |
| Captain Cook | 3,419 | $108,675 | $770,600 | $2,164 |
| Honaunau-Napoopoo | 2,629 | $93,929 | $836,100 | $1,789 |
More for people moving to Kailua
Kailua ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kailua: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kailua, HI?
The median household income in Kailua is $88,211, 12% lower than the Hawaii median of $100,389 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Kailua?
The median home value in Kailua is $667,400, compared with $839,100 in Hawaii.
How much is rent in Kailua?
The median gross rent in Kailua is $1,754 per month, about 27.4% of household income.
Is Kailua, HI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 20% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Hawaii median; a poverty rate of 14.3%.
What is the median age in Kailua?
The median age in Kailua is 41.6 years (Hawaii: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Kailua?
The average commute to work in Kailua is 20 minutes; 10.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kailua?
The unemployment rate in Kailua is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kailua?
33.6% of adults in Kailua have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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