Tourists craving a taste of island life see Hawaii as an attractive vacation destination, but it’s also a great place to live full-time. Living in Hawaii is much like living in paradise, with beautiful weather, sandy beaches, and jagged mountain peaks. However, you’ll still have to carefully consider your lifestyle to find the best Hawaiian town to call home.

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—your number one option for finding affordable car and homeowners insurance—is here to help! We’ve compiled a list of the eight best places to live in Hawaii so that you can make an informed decision.

If you’re planning to move to one of the Hawaiian islands, but aren’t sure which community to pick, read on to discover some of your very best options.

What makes a good place to live?

There are lots of factors to consider when picking a place to live. If you’re a young professional, you’ll likely want to move somewhere with ample career options. If you have children or are interested in starting a family soon, you’ll definitely want somewhere with great school districts.

Your age, income level, and personal preferences will all affect where you should live. To help you narrow down your options, we looked at all of the Hawaiian communities and considered each of the following metrics:

Median household income

Median home price

Cost of living

Quality of schools

Crime rates

Healthcare

Average commute times

FEMA risk index ratings

Keeping these criteria in mind, we’ve narrowed down the best places to live in Hawaii based on each of these three categories: the best place for families, the most affordable location, and the best place to buy a home.

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Hawaii car insurance laws—all you need to know

The best places for families to live in Hawaii

Raising a family in Hawaii means your children will have plenty of access to tropical landscapes and outdoorsy activities. However, it’s important to pick an affordable, safe place with great public schools.

Mililani Mauka

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 20,090

Median household income: $114,886

Median home price: $691,200

Once a vast collection of pineapple fields, Mililani Mauka is located near the center of O’ahu Island, about ten miles northwest of Honolulu. The dense suburban feel, abundance of parks, and highly rated public schools make it a great place for families.

Safety and cleanliness are taken very seriously in Mililani Mauka. The Mililani Town Association has enacted a set of rules and a neighborhood watch intended to keep the area safe and well-kept and maintain its high property values. Crime rates fall 11% below the national average.

Adults and children alike will benefit from the town’s seven recreational centers, many of which include tennis courts. You’ll also find an 18-hole golf course and plenty of shops, eateries, beauty and health venues, and other leisure destinations.

Maunawili

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 1,977

Median household income: $141,136

Median home price: $1,080,000

For families interested in a more rural area on the island of O’ahu, Maunawili is a perfect option. A few churches, horse stables, a golf course, and an agricultural research center round out the town’s country vibes. However, residents are only a short drive from Kailua’s commercial establishment.

Children in Maunawili will benefit from above-average public schools, including Hawaii Technology Academy Public Charter School and University Laboratory School, the state's #1 and #2 public elementary schools.

And of course, Maunawili is beautiful. Families can enjoy the Maunawili Falls Trail, which leads through lush rainforests to gorgeous waterfalls.

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Hawaii car seat law

The most affordable places to live in Hawaii

Moving to the Hawaiian Islands could be a bit expensive. The state has one of the highest cost-of-living indexes in the country, ranking 96.3% higher than the U.S. average. If you want to move to Hawaii on a budget, you’ll have to plan carefully.

Affordability varies greatly depending on the island and even neighborhood where you live. We researched Hawaiian towns and evaluated their cost of living and average commute times (which impact fuel costs) to find you the three most affordable places to live in Hawaii.

Kaneohe

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 33,841

Median household income: $81,907

Median home price: $627,500

The median home price in Kaneohe is a bit higher than Hawaii’s national average, but the impressively high median household income makes the town an affordable option. Additionally, the commute time for Kaneohe residents lands at 28.7 minutes, which is just slightly higher than the nation’s average of 26.4, so monthly fuel costs won’t be too expensive.

You’ll definitely save money on car insurance, as rates in Hawaii rank 30% lower than the national average, and

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can help you find the best deals possible.

Affordability isn’t the only thing that makes Kaneohe an attractive place to live. The town's 400-acre botanical gardens contain collections of plants from all over the world, and Kaneohe Bay is the only one in Hawaii with a barrier reef!

Kahului

Location: Maui County

Population: 31,336

Median household income: $62,038

Median home price: $485,000

If you’re looking for an affordable town with relatively few tourists, Kahului is a great option. Located on the northern coast of Maui, Kahului is the island’s largest community, home to nearly a third of its population!

Kahului hosts the island’s main airport, major commercial shopping centers, and even a light industrial area—meaning jobs are abundant. The average commute time for residents is below the national average, at just 19.8 minutes, keeping fuel costs low.

Since you’ll be right near the water, you’ll have easy access to Kanaha Beach Park, a favorite destination for windsurfers and kiteboarders. You can also take advantage of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, which hosts numerous events and boasts an impressive art gallery.

Kailua

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 39,353

Median household income: $104,911

Median home price: $813,600

Kailua means “two currents,” as the city was named for the two former fishponds that occupied the district. Located just 30 minutes from both Honolulu and Waikiki, Kailua was once the location of President Barack Obama’s winter home.

An extremely impressive median household income keeps Kailua affordable for many, as do reasonable vehicle expenses. Extremely affordable car insurance rates (with a little help from

Jerry

) offset the 29.7 minute average commute time.

Consider moving to Kailua if you crave world-renowned beaches that boast golden sands and aquamarine waters. While the town is a popular destination for visitors, there are no sprawling resorts or massive hotel towers. Instead, you’ll find family-owned bed-and-breakfasts, welcoming restaurants, and friendly coffee shops.

MORE: Hawaii Electric Vehicle Incentives

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Best places to buy a house in Hawaii

If you’re planning on planting permanent roots in Hawaii, you’ll likely be in the market for a home. To locate some of the best places to buy a house, we looked at Realter.com’s housing market summaries as well as the FEMA Risk Index rates for Hawaii towns and cities.

Waikiki

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 25,261

Median household income: $59,432

Median home price: $414,200

Waikiki’s homes close at an average of $200,000 less than the rest of the state, making it a popular destination for low-income and first-time homebuyers.

Located on the south shore of O’ahu, Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Now, the vibrant, world-famous town serves as the island’s main hotel and resort area and boasts world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Unfortunately, primarily due to the risk of tsunamis, Waikiki’s FEMA risk index is quite high. The area receives a whopping score of 23.02, which is significantly higher than the state average of 18.01 and more than double the national average of 10.60. This means that you’ll have to carefully shop for reliable homeowners insurance to cover any damages.

Pearl City

Location: Honolulu County

Population: 45,605

Median household income: $91,112

Median home price: $733,300

Pearl City residents benefit from one of the largest median household incomes in the state, which offset the region’s higher-than-average property prices. Additionally, property values are slated to grow in the coming months—a rarity in Hawaii—making real estate a smart investment.

Like the rest of the island, Pearl City has a high FEMA risk index of 23.02.

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can help you find low rates on homeowners insurance to help you save a bit of cash and protect your investment.

Though Pearl City is more of a residential area and not a popular site for tourism, history buffs will want to check out the USS Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Hilo

Location: Hawaii County

Population: 45,056

Median household income: $63,283

Median home price: $332,500

Located on the northeastern side of Hawaii’s “Big Island,” Hilo’s cheap real estate and growing property values make it one of the best places to invest in a home. Household incomes in the area continue to grow, so if you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to advance your career, Hilo could be a great option for you.

Unfortunately, the Big Island suffers from a 35.83 FEMA risk index, which is almost double the Hawaiian average. Be sure to have a thorough home inspection done before buying any property, and then carefully

choose the right homeowners insurance for you

MORE:

How to decipher home insurance quotes

How to find affordable homeowners and car insurance in Hawaii

When you’re ready to make the big move to Hawaii, Jerry will ease the transition by helping you find the lowest rates on homeowners and car insurance.

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