Living in Pahala, Hawaii
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Pahala · Census data 2020–2024
Pahala has 1,768 residents with a median age of 32.4. The median household income is $71,518 (29% lower than the Hawaii median), the median home value is $224,500.
Pahala at a glance
- Population
- 1,768
- Median age
- 32.4State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $71,518State: $100,389
- Median home value
- $224,500State: $839,100
- Homeowners
- 78.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Average commute
- 46 min
Is Pahala a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 73% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Hawaii median; an average commute of 46 minutes; unemployment of 12.7%; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
The weather is best in February and April to June.
Cost of living in Pahala
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Pahala the median home value is $224,500, 33% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month, which is 24.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,566 a month in housing costs.
Pahala median household income
The median household income in Pahala is $71,518 and the income per person is $22,801. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Hawaii: 10%).
Housing in Pahala: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 522
- Owner-occupied
- 78.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 21.7%
- Vacant
- 15.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 3.94
Pahala demographics
- Population
- 1,768
- Median age
- 32.4
- Under 18
- 30.8%
- 65 and older
- 18.2%
- Households
- 443
- Foreign-born
- 20.6%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Pahala ›
Education in Pahala
23% of adults 25 and older in Pahala have a bachelor's degree or higher (Hawaii: 36.1%), and 6.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Pahala
- Unemployment rate
- 12.7%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 46 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 11.9%
- Drive alone
- 69.5%
- Public transit
- 1.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.1%
Pahala vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pahala | 1,768 | $71,518 | $224,500 | — |
| Naalehu | 872 | $67,679 | $234,100 | $1,617 |
| Waiohinu | 152 | $70,313 | $384,600 | $1,208 |
| Discovery Harbour | 1,079 | $61,042 | $443,500 | $1,688 |
| Hawaiian Ocean View | 4,431 | $45,043 | $318,200 | $1,506 |
| Mauna Loa Estates | 901 | $39,427 | $357,200 | $1,147 |
| Volcano | 746 | $74,609 | $574,500 | $1,786 |
| Royal Hawaiian Estates | 852 | $76,875 | $246,500 | $1,712 |
| Fern Forest | 1,088 | $42,917 | $170,900 | — |
More for people moving to Pahala
Pahala ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Pahala: FAQ
What is the median household income in Pahala, HI?
The median household income in Pahala is $71,518, 29% 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 Pahala?
The median home value in Pahala is $224,500, compared with $839,100 in Hawaii.
Is Pahala, HI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 73% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Hawaii median; an average commute of 46 minutes; unemployment of 12.7%; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
What is the median age in Pahala?
The median age in Pahala is 32.4 years (Hawaii: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Pahala?
The average commute to work in Pahala is 46 minutes; 11.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Pahala?
The unemployment rate in Pahala is 12.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Pahala?
23% of adults in Pahala 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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