Living in Wailua, Hawaii
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wailua · Census data 2020–2024
Wailua has 2,697 residents with a median age of 44.8. The median household income is $69,167 (31% lower than the Hawaii median), the median home value is $790,800, the median rent is $2,310/month.
Wailua at a glance
- Population
- 2,697
- Median age
- 44.8State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $69,167State: $100,389
- Median home value
- $790,800State: $839,100
- Median rent
- $2,310/moState: $1,971
- Homeowners
- 55.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.7%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Wailua a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 6% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
The weather is best in January to April.
Cost of living in Wailua
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wailua the median home value is $790,800, 138% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,310 per month, which is 44.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,341 a month in housing costs.
Wailua median household income
The median household income in Wailua is $69,167 and the income per person is $39,401. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Hawaii: 10%).
Housing in Wailua: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,508
- Owner-occupied
- 55.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.8%
- Vacant
- 33.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.69
33.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Wailua has many vacation and second homes.
Wailua demographics
- Population
- 2,697
- Median age
- 44.8
- Under 18
- 20.3%
- 65 and older
- 24.4%
- Households
- 1,002
- Foreign-born
- 9.7%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wailua ›
Education in Wailua
27.7% of adults 25 and older in Wailua have a bachelor's degree or higher (Hawaii: 36.1%), and 11.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wailua
- Unemployment rate
- 10.4%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8.5%
- Drive alone
- 70.2%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88%
Wailua vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wailua | 2,697 | $69,167 | $790,800 | $2,310 |
| Kapaa | 11,094 | $89,477 | $861,300 | $2,020 |
| Wailua Homesteads | 5,431 | $89,717 | $943,400 | $1,990 |
| Hanamaulu | 4,972 | $82,358 | $687,500 | $1,652 |
| Lihue | 7,901 | $92,850 | $878,500 | $1,956 |
| Anahola | 3,067 | $100,688 | $530,100 | $2,015 |
| Puhi | 4,362 | $137,292 | $701,400 | $2,443 |
| Kilauea | 3,146 | $91,984 | $1,087,400 | $1,318 |
| Omao | 1,528 | $101,667 | $1,021,800 | $1,875 |
More for people moving to Wailua
Wailua ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wailua: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wailua, HI?
The median household income in Wailua is $69,167, 31% 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 Wailua?
The median home value in Wailua is $790,800, compared with $839,100 in Hawaii.
How much is rent in Wailua?
The median gross rent in Wailua is $2,310 per month, about 44.9% of household income.
Is Wailua, HI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 6% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
What is the median age in Wailua?
The median age in Wailua is 44.8 years (Hawaii: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Wailua?
The average commute to work in Wailua is 23 minutes; 8.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wailua?
The unemployment rate in Wailua is 10.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wailua?
27.7% of adults in Wailua 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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