F
84%
Overall NAT. AVG.
27%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
211%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Royal Kunia Hawaii National
Cost of living184173100
Goods & Services127130100
Groceries117137100
Health care123126100
Housing311250100
Transportation135143100
Utilities151180100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Royal Kunia, HI

The cost of living in Royal Kunia affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Royal Kunia is 184, which is 84% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Royal Kunia may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Royal Kunia falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Royal Kunia cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 211.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Royal Kunia, you you will have to spend 26.8% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Royal Kunia, it's the same story – grocery costs are 16.7% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Royal Kunia Affordable?

Is Royal Kunia affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Royal Kunia, the median home price is 238.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 146.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Royal Kunia boasting a median household income of $116,035, 109.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Royal Kunia?

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Royal Kunia, the transportation index is 35% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Royal Kunia, the utilities index registers at 51.3% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Royal Kunia starts at 4% and the income tax rates start at 1.4%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Royal Kunia displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Royal Kunia is 6% higher than the Hawaii average
  • The cost of living in Royal Kunia is 84% higher than the national average
  • Royal Kunia housing is 211% higher than the national average
  • Hawaii general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Hawaii state income tax is 46% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Royal Kunia

See all the best places to live around Royal Kunia

Compare Royal Kunia, HI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$122,095$10,175$2,849$3,663
      Renters$61,538$5,128$1,436$1,846
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Royal Kunia, HI, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Royal Kunia, the median monthly income is $122,095 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,849 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $61,538, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,436 on monthly rental expenses.

      Hawaii Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Hawaii 4% 4.712%

      Hawaii Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Hawaii 1.4% 11%

      Goods & Services

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.47$24.2619.8%
      Beauty Salon $76.67$45.5668.3%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.73$1.2834.8%
      Movie $15.08$12.1324.3%
      Bowling $25.33$18.0040.7%

      Groceries

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.42$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.85$1.5781.0%
      Milk $5.38$4.6715.1%
      Potatoes $5.94$4.9320.4%
      Pizza $14.99$12.0924.0%
      Beer $12.01$10.4115.4%

      Health Care

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $236.67$125.6888.3%
      Doctor $191.36$135.7840.9%
      Dentist $114.44$113.291.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.35$10.656.6%
      Lipitor $573.90$468.6022.5%

      Housing

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $625,600.00$184,700.00238.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,008.77$2,346.69241.3%
      Apartment Rent $2,343.00$949.00146.9%

      Transportation

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.80$3.4638.8%
      Tire Balancing $75.37$59.9225.8%

      Utilities

      Item Royal Kunia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $359.53$193.9985.3%
      Phone $184.47$192.254.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Waianae, HI13,19214545.1%
      Makaha, HI10,08714646.3%
      Nanakuli, HI11,37915049.9%
      Waipio Acres, HI5,55615757.2%
      Waimalu, HI13,71415958.8%
      Royal Kunia, HI13,85718483.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Oneonta, NY13,8551032.6%
      Allouez, WI13,853955.4%
      Gravenhurst, ON13,853n/a 
      Alamo, CA13,864304204.5%
      Seabrook, TX13,84911211.9%
      Royal Kunia, HI13,85718483.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.