CountyScore

Hawaii County

Hawaii · HI

#2 in Hawaii
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Hawaii County, Hawaii

Hawaii County Exceeds National Livability Average

Hawaii County's composite score of 67.5 puts it well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties overall. This above-average livability ranking reflects a county that offers meaningful advantages in multiple dimensions compared to typical American communities.

Hawaii County Leads State Rankings

Hawaii County ranks first among Hawaii's five counties with a composite score of 67.5, edging out the state average of 64.9. Its position as the state leader suggests it offers the best overall livability profile in Hawaii.

Tax Burden and Health Care Excel

Hawaii County's standout dimensions are its exceptionally low tax burden with a 94.2 tax score (effective rate of 0.286%) and strong health outcomes at 78.2. The county also demonstrates exceptionally low disaster risk at just 1.5, providing residents with relative peace of mind.

Income Levels Lag Behind Housing Costs

At 33.8, Hawaii County's income score reveals a significant economic challenge: median household income of $77,215 struggles against a median home value of $486,400. While housing affordability is moderate at 64.3, the income-to-cost ratio suggests financial strain for many families.

Best for Tax-Conscious Families Seeking Health

Hawaii County suits retirees and families prioritizing low taxes and strong healthcare access who have modest incomes or significant savings. The big island's combination of excellent tax treatment and solid health infrastructure makes it attractive for those not pursuing high earning potential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax94.2Cost64.3SafetyComing SoonHealth78.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.8Risk1.5WaterComing Soon
🏛94.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Hawaii County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
Median income: $93,543
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Hawaii County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hawaii County

via TaxByCounty

Hawaii County taxes far below national average

Hawaii County's effective tax rate of 0.286% sits well below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the lowest 10% nationally for property tax burden. The median property tax here is just $1,392 compared to the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $486,400.

Higher rate than most Hawaii counties

Hawaii County ranks second-highest in effective tax rate among Hawaii's four counties at 0.286%, above the state average of 0.241%. Only one Hawaii county collects higher property taxes per dollar of home value.

Statewide comparison shows Hawaii County's position

Hawaii County's 0.286% effective rate exceeds Kauai County (0.225%) and Maui County (0.168%) but trails behind Honolulu County (0.284%). Despite similar rates to Honolulu, Hawaii County homeowners pay significantly less in absolute dollars due to lower median property values.

Typical Hawaii County home costs $1,392 annually

On a median home valued at $486,400, Hawaii County property owners pay approximately $1,392 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,530, while those without mortgages pay $1,159.

Check if your assessment is accurate

Many Hawaii County homeowners are overassessed relative to recent market sales, creating opportunities to appeal and lower taxes. If you believe your property's assessed value exceeds its fair market value, filing an appeal could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hawaii County

via CostByCounty

Hawaii County beats national affordability

At 21.9%, Hawaii County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the national median, making it the most affordable county in the state relative to household earnings. The median household income here is $77,215—just 3% higher than the U.S. average of $74,755—yet rents stay modest at $1,411 per month compared to national norms.

Most affordable rental market in Hawaii

Hawaii County ranks first among the state's five counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 21.9% versus Hawaii's 22.1% average. This narrow advantage comes from lower median rents ($1,411 vs. state average of $1,688) despite mid-range household incomes.

Cheaper than Honolulu, pricier than Kalawao

Hawaii County's median rent of $1,411 undercuts Honolulu County ($2,054) and Maui County ($1,863) by significant margins, though it costs slightly more than Kalawao County's $1,300. Among the Big Island's comparable communities, this county offers a middle ground between island affordability and urban pricing.

Rent costs 22% of Hawaii County income

Hawaii County residents spend roughly 21.9% of their $77,215 median household income on rent alone—about $1,411 per month. Homeownership is slightly cheaper at $1,196 monthly, though the median home value of $486,400 requires substantial upfront capital compared to renting.

Hawaii County: affordable island living

If you're weighing island life against mainland costs, Hawaii County offers competitive rental rates and reasonable home values for Hawaii. Compare your household income against the $77,215 median and the 21.9% rent benchmark to see if island relocation pencils out for your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hawaii County

via IncomeByCounty

Hawaii County earns above the national median

At $77,215, Hawaii County's median household income sits 3% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier nationally. This positions the county ahead of roughly half of all American counties, reflecting strong earning power relative to the country as a whole.

Below Hawaii's state average income

Hawaii County ranks fourth among the state's five counties, with a median income nearly $14,000 below Hawaii's state average of $91,283. Only Kalawao County earns less among Hawaii's island counties, underscoring the wider wealth concentration in Honolulu and Maui.

Island earnings vary by destination

Hawaii County's $77,215 median trails Maui County ($95,076) by 18% and Kauai County ($93,612) by 17%, reflecting differences in tourism, agriculture, and business presence across the islands. Honolulu County, home to Oahu and the state capital, significantly outpaces Hawaii County at $104,264.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Hawaii County's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among Hawaiian counties—suggests households dedicate roughly one-fifth of earnings to rent, which is healthier than the 23-24% ratio seen in neighboring islands. With a median home value of $486,400, homeownership remains challenging but housing burden is lighter than elsewhere in Hawaii.

Build financial resilience with planning

Hawaii County households earning $77,215 can leverage tax-advantaged savings accounts and diversified investments to grow wealth beyond housing costs. Consider consulting a financial advisor to optimize retirement planning and build emergency reserves that account for Hawaii's higher cost of living.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hawaii County

via HealthByCounty

Hawaii County trails US life expectancy

Hawaii County residents live to 79.5 years on average, about 1.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a modest advantage that masks underlying health challenges. One in six residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 13%, suggesting that lifespan alone doesn't capture the full picture of wellbeing.

Below the Hawaii state average

At 79.5 years, Hawaii County lags the state average of 81.3 years by 1.8 years, placing it among the lower-performing counties in Hawaii. The county's 16.1% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state's implied average, signaling that residents here face steeper health headwinds than neighbors on Oahu and Maui.

Hawaii County faces tough regional comparisons

Kauai leads the state at 82.4 years life expectancy, while Hawaii County sits 2.9 years behind. With 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Hawaii County also has fewer doctors than Honolulu (93 per 100K) and Kauai (82 per 100K), limiting everyday access to routine care.

Uninsured rate edges above state average

About 5.5% of Hawaii County residents lack health insurance, compared to the state average of 4.8%—meaning roughly 1 in 18 people here go without coverage. Mental health providers are relatively plentiful at 354 per 100,000, but the uninsured gap suggests many can't access them.

Explore coverage options now

If you're among the 5.5% uninsured in Hawaii County, open enrollment periods and state marketplace options can connect you to affordable plans. Reach out to community health centers or Hawaii's insurance helpline to find coverage that fits your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hawaii County

via RiskByCounty

Hawaii County faces significantly elevated disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 98.51, Hawaii County ranks as relatively high risk — well above the national average. This score reflects serious exposure to multiple hazard types that affect island communities.

Highest risk among Hawaii's four counties

Hawaii County's 98.51 composite score places it at the top of risk levels statewide, exceeding the state average of 74.99 by 31 percent. Only Honolulu County approaches similar risk levels across the island state.

Risk mirrors neighboring Honolulu County

Hawaii County's 98.51 score closely tracks Honolulu County's 98.76, making both the state's riskiest counties. In contrast, Maui County (93.13) and Kauai County (84.45) face substantially lower composite risk levels.

Earthquakes and floods pose the greatest threats

Earthquake risk scores 99.14 here — among the highest hazards residents face — while flood risk reaches 98.89, reflecting Hawaii County's volcanic terrain and coastal exposure. Wildfire risk also runs high at 98.28, particularly during dry seasons.

Comprehensive insurance protects against island hazards

Hawaii County residents should prioritize earthquake coverage and flood insurance, as standard homeowner policies exclude both. Working with a local agent familiar with volcanic and coastal risks ensures your home and family have appropriate protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.