countyscore
47.5
County Score
Property Tax 98.8Health 84.9Income & Jobs 80.3

County Report Card

About Hawaii County, Hawaii

Hawaii County Sits Near National Median

With a CountyScore of 47.5, Hawaii County ranks just below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a balance of high earning potential offset by significant environmental and cost factors.

A Middle-of-the-Pack Performer in Hawaii

The county's score of 47.5 is nearly identical to the state average of 47.3. It ties with Honolulu for second place among Hawaii's five counties, trailing only Kauai.

Low Taxes and Strong Health Scores

Hawaii County boasts an exceptional tax score of 98.8, driven by a low effective property tax rate of 0.286%. Residents also benefit from a robust health score of 84.9 and a high median household income of $77,215.

Natural Risks and Cost Pressure

The county faces a very low risk score of 1.5, indicating high vulnerability to natural hazards. Additionally, a cost score of 13.5 reflects the pressure of a $486,400 median home value on local budgets.

Ideal for Health-Conscious Tax Minimizers

This county is best suited for individuals who prioritize physical well-being and low property taxes. While safety and natural risk scores are low, the combination of high income and health access provides a strong quality of life.

Score breakdown

Tax98.8Cost13.5Safety12.6Health84.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome80.3Risk1.5Water70.6WeatherComing Soon
🏛98.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠13.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼80.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡12.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤84.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡1.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧70.6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Maui County
Hawaii
46.4
Kalawao County
Hawaii
44.8
Honolulu County
Hawaii
47.5
Kauai County
Hawaii
50.2
Marin County
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47.4
Sonoma County
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44.8
Mendocino County
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44.1
San Francisco County
California
43.6

Deep Dives

Hawaii County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 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

Safety in Hawaii County

via CrimeByCounty

Evaluating Safety in the Big Island

Hawaii County maintains a high safety score of 96.0, despite a total crime rate of 2556.9 per 100,000 residents. This rate sits slightly above the national average of 2,385.5, yet the county remains one of the safer regions in the country.

Ranking Second in Hawaii Safety

With a safety score of 96.0, Hawaii County ranks as the second safest county in the state. It outperforms the state average safety score of 95.8 and maintains a lower total crime rate than the state average of 2690.8.

Hawaii County vs. Neighboring Islands

Hawaii County is significantly safer than Maui County, which sees 3203.9 crimes per 100,000 people. While it is less safe than Kauai, its total crime rate is nearly 350 points lower than Honolulu's rate of 2900.5.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for the vast majority of local incidents at 2295.2 per 100,000 residents. Conversely, violent crime is low at 261.7, which is well below the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Securing Your Big Island Home

Most local crime involves property, so residents should focus on basic home security measures. Simple steps like motion-sensor lighting and locking entry points can significantly deter common theft or trespassing.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Lawn Care in Hawaii County

via LawnByCounty

Year-Round Growing on the Big Island

While a specific lawn difficulty score is unavailable, the tropical climate poses unique challenges compared to the national average of 50.0. The lack of a frost-induced dormancy period means lawns here require attention every month of the year.

Endless Growth Cycles Define the Climate

Detailed climate metrics like growing degree days are currently limited for this region, but the perpetual growing season is a constant. Homeowners must maintain a rigorous mowing and fertilization schedule to keep pace with the island's high-velocity plant growth.

Navigating Volcanic Soil Foundations

Specific data on soil pH and texture is not currently available, requiring local testing for accurate results. Because island soils can vary wildly due to volcanic activity, custom amendments are often necessary to create a fertile base for turf.

Managing Water in Severe Drought Conditions

Water management is critical here, as 11.6% of the county is currently facing severe drought and 98.2% is abnormally dry. Having endured 53 weeks of drought over the past year, residents should prioritize deep, infrequent watering to encourage resilient root systems.

Start Your Tropical Lawn Today

Bermuda grass and Seashore Paspalum are excellent choices for this climate because they handle heat and salt spray with ease. Since there are no frost dates to monitor, you can seed or sod whenever your irrigation plan is ready to support new growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hawaii County's county score?
Hawaii County, Hawaii has a composite county score of 47.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Hawaii County rank among counties in Hawaii?
Hawaii County ranks #2 among all counties in Hawaii on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Hawaii County, Hawaii?
The median annual property tax in Hawaii County is $1,392, with an effective tax rate of 0.29%. This earns Hawaii County a tax score of 98.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hawaii County?
The median household income in Hawaii County, Hawaii is $77,215 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hawaii County earns an income score of 80.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hawaii County, Hawaii a good place to live?
Hawaii County scores 47.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Hawaii. The best way to evaluate Hawaii County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Hawaii County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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