Living in Kailua, Hawaii
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kailua · Census data 2020–2024
Kailua has 39,640 residents with a median age of 42.9. The median household income is $148,582 (48% higher than the Hawaii median), the median home value is $1,353,700, the median rent is $3,093/month.
Kailua at a glance
- Population
- 39,640
- Median age
- 42.9State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $148,582State: $100,389
- Median home value
- $1,353,700State: $839,100
- Median rent
- $3,093/moState: $1,971
- Homeowners
- 72.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 55.5%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Kailua a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 48% higher than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 4%.
Cons: Home values 61% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
The weather is best in February to May.
Cost of living in Kailua
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kailua the median home value is $1,353,700, 307% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $3,093 per month, which is 29.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,948 a month in housing costs.
Kailua median household income
The median household income in Kailua is $148,582 and the income per person is $61,085. 4% of residents live below the poverty line (Hawaii: 10%).
Housing in Kailua: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,754
- Owner-occupied
- 72.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.7%
- Vacant
- 7.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1966
- Average household size
- 2.90
Kailua demographics
- Population
- 39,640
- Median age
- 42.9
- Under 18
- 21.4%
- 65 and older
- 22.3%
- Households
- 13,641
- Foreign-born
- 8.4%
- Veterans
- 10.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kailua ›
Education in Kailua
55.5% of adults 25 and older in Kailua have a bachelor's degree or higher (Hawaii: 36.1%), and 27.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kailua
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 13%
- Drive alone
- 69.9%
- Public transit
- 2%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.5%
Kailua vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua | 39,640 | $148,582 | $1,353,700 | $3,093 |
| Maunawili | 2,024 | $177,143 | $1,511,300 | $3,501 |
| Kaneohe Base | 10,919 | $69,418 | $352,000 | $3,410 |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | $1,029,700 | $2,269 |
| Waimanalo | 6,054 | $116,581 | $799,200 | $1,764 |
| Waimanalo Beach | 4,505 | $127,450 | $852,300 | $1,275 |
| Heeia | 5,144 | $176,250 | $1,200,200 | $3,501 |
| Ahuimanu | 8,452 | $135,438 | $910,600 | $2,635 |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | $159,518 | $1,212,000 | $3,313 |
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 $148,582, 48% higher 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 $1,353,700, compared with $839,100 in Hawaii.
How much is rent in Kailua?
The median gross rent in Kailua is $3,093 per month, about 29.8% of household income.
Is Kailua, HI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 48% higher than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 4%. Minuses: home values 61% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
What is the median age in Kailua?
The median age in Kailua is 42.9 years (Hawaii: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Kailua?
The average commute to work in Kailua is 29 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kailua?
The unemployment rate in Kailua is 3.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kailua?
55.5% 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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