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Kapaa, HI

Cost of living in Kauai County, HI

Estimated monthly cost
$3,904/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 73,610 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,625 42%
Federal tax $536 14%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $416 11%
Transport $320 8%
State tax $234 6%
Energy $233 6%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Kauai County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,597
per month
1 bedroom
$1,625
per month
2 bedroom
$2,135
per month
3 bedroom
$2,810
per month
4 bedroom
$3,324
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Kauai County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$93,612
per year
Individual earnings
$42,839
per year
Per capita
$42,553
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kauai County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$817,900
Annual property tax
$1,840

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kauai County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$215
per month · 43¢/kWh
Natural gas
$18
per month
Annual total
$2,796
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Kauai County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Kauai County

State and local tax rates for Hawaii.

State income tax
11.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
4.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Kauai County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.7 min
Drive alone
74.3%
Public transit
1.0%
Work from home
7.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kauai County

What it costs to live in Kauai County each month.

Single person
$3,904
per month
  • Rent $1,625
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $416
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $536
  • State tax $234
Couple
$6,241
per month
  • Rent $2,135
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $689
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,202
  • State tax $581
Family
$9,144
per month
  • Rent $2,810
  • Energy $350
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $1,046
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,202
  • State tax $581

Frequently asked questions about Kauai County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kauai County?

In Kauai County, HI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,625 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,135 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,810 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Kauai County?

In Kauai County, HI, the average household income is $93,612 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,839 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kauai County?

The estimated cost of living in Kauai County, HI is approximately $3,904 per month for a single person, $6,241 for a couple, $9,144 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kauai County?

The combined sales tax rate in Kauai County, HI is 4.44%, which includes the Hawaii state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 0.44%.

Is Kauai County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kauai County, HI would need approximately $3,904 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $93,612 per year ($7,801 per month). Kauai County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kauai County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kauai County, HI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kauai County?

The average home value in Kauai County, HI is $817,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,840, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kauai County compare to other areas?

You can compare Kauai County, HI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kauai County is in the Kapaa, HI metro area.

Other counties in Hawaii

Browse the full list of counties in Hawaii, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Hawaii

Compare Kauai County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources