Cost of Living in Kalawao County
via CostByCounty
Kalawao County, Hawaii — County Report Card
HI
#5 in Hawaii43.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 99.9Income & Jobs 70.4Health 59.7
County Report Card
About Kalawao County, Hawaii
A Unique Profile Below National Median
Kalawao County carries a composite score of 44.8, which is lower than the national median of 50.0. Its unique geographic and administrative status results in specialized data trends compared to the rest of the country.
Ranking Fifth Among Hawaii Counties
With a score of 44.8, Kalawao ranks last in the state, falling behind the Hawaii average of 47.3. The county lacks sufficient data for tax, safety, and water scores, which limits its overall composite performance.
Exceptional Safety from Environmental Risk
The county achieves a near-perfect risk score of 99.9, suggesting it is highly insulated from typical natural disasters. Residents also enjoy a high income score of 89.5, with a median household income of $86,250.
Limited Infrastructure and Health Services
A health score of 59.7 is significantly lower than its state peers, indicating fewer medical resources. Affordability also remains a concern, as the cost score sits at a low 11.4.
Suited for Seekers of High-Income Seclusion
Kalawao is a niche destination for those who prioritize environmental stability and high earnings above all else. It is best for residents who do not require frequent access to extensive health or educational infrastructure.
This county
National avg
2 above average1 below average
Kalawao County DNA
FoverallHow Kalawao County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions
Kalawao County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (99.9/100).
Dimension Breakdown
Cost
14.4-33.6
Health
59.7+9.700000000000003
Income
70.4+19.400000000000006
Risk
99.9+52.900000000000006
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Compare mortgage rates in Kalawao County
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Can You Afford to Live Here?
Median Home Price
N/A
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
National median: $877/mo
Income Needed (home)
N/A/yr
28% front-end rule
Income Needed (rent)
$50,840/yr
30% rent rule
Local median income: $73,750/yr
Compare Mortgage RatesEconomic & Education Snapshot
Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.
Explore this county
Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Deep Dives
Kalawao County across the ByCounty Network
Detailed analysis from 4 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.
costbycounty.com
Income & Jobs in Kalawao County
via IncomeByCounty
Kalawao County outpaces national averages
Kalawao County's median household income of $86,250 runs 15% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the upper-income tier nationally. This strong performance is notable given Kalawao's small population and isolated geographic position on Molokai.
Smallest county, second-lowest income
Kalawao County ranks fourth among Hawaii's five counties in median household income at $86,250, trailing the state average of $91,283 by about 5%. As the state's least populous county (approximately 7,000 residents), it shows modest income relative to Honolulu and Maui but exceeds Hawaii County.
Remote island faces income constraints
Kalawao County's $86,250 income falls between Hawaii County ($77,215) and Kauai County ($93,612), reflecting the economic realities of smaller island populations and limited employment diversity. Geographic isolation and limited business infrastructure contribute to lower incomes compared to Honolulu and Maui.
Best rent-to-income ratio in Hawaii
Kalawao County boasts the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 18.1%, meaning housing costs consume less than one-fifth of household earnings. Limited home value data is available, but this ratio suggests housing affordability is most manageable here relative to other Hawaiian counties.
Rural county offers wealth-building potential
Kalawao County residents earning $86,250 enjoy lower housing burdens than peers statewide, freeing up income for savings and investments. Consider directing rent savings into retirement accounts and diversified portfolios to build long-term wealth despite limited local investment services—online platforms can bridge geographic distance.
Health in Kalawao County
via HealthByCounty
Lawn Care in Kalawao County
via LawnByCounty
Remote Lawn Care in Kalawao
While specific difficulty scores are not tracked here, the environment presents distinct challenges compared to the national average of 50.0. The remote nature of the county makes self-sufficient organic lawn care a practical necessity.
Consistent Warmth and Perpetual Growth
Climate data like growing season length is not explicitly provided, but the tropical location ensures that plant growth never truly stops. This means your mowing and trimming tasks remain consistent throughout every month of the calendar.
Adapting to Unknown Soil Profiles
Standard soil metrics like texture and drainage class are currently unavailable for this specific area. Gardeners should focus on adding compost and organic fertilizers to improve whatever soil structure is present on their property.
Navigating 44 Weeks of Minor Drought
The county is largely stable, with 0.0% of the area in severe drought and 7.7% classified as abnormally dry. Despite 44 weeks of drought over the last year, the local environment generally provides enough moisture for well-established lawns.
Planting for Resilience and Beauty
Centipede grass or Bermuda are sturdy options that can handle the local conditions with minimal intervention. With no frost dates to worry about, you can establish new turf whenever the local rains are most consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kalawao County's county score?
Kalawao County, Hawaii has a composite county score of 43.3 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 Kalawao County rank among counties in Hawaii?
Kalawao County ranks #5 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 is the median household income in Kalawao County?
The median household income in Kalawao County, Hawaii is $73,750 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kalawao County earns an income score of 70.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kalawao County, Hawaii a good place to live?
Kalawao County scores 43.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Hawaii. The best way to evaluate Kalawao 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 Kalawao County with other counties side by side.
ByCounty Network
Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets
Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.