CountyScore

Kauai County

Hawaii · HI

#3 in Hawaii
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Kauai County, Hawaii

Kauai Ranks Above U.S. Median Livability

Kauai County's composite score of 65.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it comfortably in the upper portion of U.S. counties. This above-average ranking reflects a balanced profile that appeals to those seeking island living with reasonable livability metrics.

Kauai Edges Out State Average

Kauai County scores 65.2, slightly above Hawaii's state average of 64.9, ranking third of five counties. The island maintains competitive livability despite high housing costs.

Lowest Tax Rate and Excellent Health Care

Kauai County boasts Hawaii's lowest effective tax rate at 0.225%, earning a 95.9 tax score that favors residents' pocketbooks. The county pairs this tax advantage with strong health outcomes at 81.9, among the best in the state.

Housing Affordability Remains Constrained

Kauai's cost score of 47.1 reflects median home values of $817,900 and rents of $1,810 monthly—expensive even by Hawaii standards. Income scores of 44.5 suggest wages don't fully align with these elevated costs.

Perfect for Tax-Savvy Island Seekers

Kauai County suits retirees, remote workers, and affluent families drawn to the island's natural beauty who value low taxes and strong healthcare. The county's exceptional tax treatment and health services offset housing costs for those with solid financial resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax95.9Cost47.1SafetyComing SoonHealth81.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.5Risk15.6WaterComing Soon
🏛95.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠47.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡15.6
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 Kauai County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Garfield County
Colorado
65.2
Median income: $86,172
Effingham County
Georgia
65.2
Median income: $85,465
Alexander County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $43,523
Christian County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $59,253
Washington County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $75,652

Deep Dives

Kauai County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kauai County

via TaxByCounty

Kauai offers some of nation's lowest tax rates

Kauai County's effective tax rate of 0.225% places it in the lowest 5% nationally, nearly one-quarter of the national median of 0.92%. The median property tax of $1,840 is 32% below the national median despite a median home value of $817,900.

Kauai ranks third in Hawaii for tax rate

Kauai County's effective tax rate of 0.225% ranks third among Hawaii's four counties, slightly above Maui County (0.168%) but below the state average of 0.241%. Only Maui collects less in median property taxes statewide.

Kauai undercuts most neighboring island counties

Kauai County's 0.225% effective rate beats both Hawaii County (0.286%) and Honolulu County (0.284%), approaching Maui County's 0.168%. Despite comparable home values to Honolulu and Maui, Kauai homeowners enjoy lower effective tax rates.

Kauai homeowners pay $1,840 on median home

A median Kauai home valued at $817,900 carries approximately $1,840 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,860, while those without mortgages pay $1,759.

Kauai assessments may still be worth reviewing

Even at low effective rates, some Kauai homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable recent sales, offering appeal opportunities. If your property's assessed value exceeds its current fair market value, contacting the county assessor about an appeal could save you money.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kauai County

via CostByCounty

Kauai's rent burden mirrors national strain

Kauai County's 23.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national norm, despite a median household income of $93,612 that's 25% above the U.S. average. Monthly rent of $1,810 reflects the island's tourism economy and limited housing supply.

Second-most expensive county in Hawaii

Kauai County ranks second from last among Hawaii's counties for affordability, with a 23.2% rent-to-income ratio above the state average of 22.1%. Only Honolulu's 23.6% ratio exceeds Kauai's burden, making the Garden Isle a pricey destination for renters.

Kauai rents steeper than most counties

Kauai's $1,810 median rent exceeds Hawaii County and Kalawao but trails Honolulu and Maui slightly. Despite the island's smaller population and rural character, housing costs rival those of more urbanized counties—a reflection of limited inventory and strong vacation-home demand.

Nearly a quarter of income toward housing

Kauai residents dedicate 23.2% of their $93,612 median household income—roughly $1,810 monthly—to rent alone. Homeownership runs similarly steep at $1,834 per month, with median home values of $817,900 placing ownership beyond many locals' reach despite reasonable incomes.

Kauai: beautiful but budget-demanding

Kauai's scenic beauty and slower pace come at a housing cost nearly matching Honolulu's affordability squeeze, despite its smaller size. If you're considering the Garden Isle, ensure your household income can comfortably absorb the 23.2% housing burden plus Kauai's higher cost of living overall.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kauai County

via IncomeByCounty

Kauai County solidly above national income

Kauai County's median household income of $93,612 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 25%, reflecting strong earning power relative to most American counties. This performance positions Kauai among the nation's higher-income counties, driven by tourism, agriculture, and government employment.

Second-richest county in Hawaii

Kauai County ranks second in Hawaii with a median household income of $93,612, trailing only Honolulu County ($104,264) and just outpacing Maui County ($95,076). The county slightly exceeds Hawaii's state average of $91,283, demonstrating solid economic performance for a smaller island.

Competitive with Maui, ahead of outer islands

Kauai County's $93,612 income sits within 1% of Maui County's $95,076, but trails Honolulu County's $104,264 by 11%. The county significantly outearns Hawaii County by $16,397, underscoring Kauai's tourism-driven economy and relative prosperity compared to the Big Island.

Housing costs bite deep despite strong income

With a median home value of $817,900 and a 23.2% rent-to-income ratio, Kauai County residents dedicate nearly a quarter of earnings to housing. Strong income helps, but the island's limited housing supply and tourism-driven property market create significant affordability pressures.

Balance island living with wealth growth

Kauai County households earning $93,612 should prioritize investment accounts and retirement savings to build wealth beyond home equity alone. With housing claiming substantial income, diversifying into stocks, bonds, and other assets—with guidance from a financial advisor—can create more resilient long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kauai County

via HealthByCounty

Kauai leads Hawaii on longevity

Kauai residents live to 82.4 years on average, beating the U.S. average of 76.4 years by six years—a remarkable advantage that positions the county among America's healthiest regions. Just 15.0% report poor or fair health, below national benchmarks and reflecting strong preventive health practices.

Hawaii's longevity leader

At 82.4 years, Kauai tops all five Hawaii counties and exceeds the state average of 81.3 years by 1.1 years. The county's 5.1% uninsured rate sits just slightly above the state average of 4.8%, indicating good but not exceptional insurance coverage.

Kauai's advantage rooted in lifestyle

Kauai's 82.4-year life expectancy edges out Honolulu (81.7) and Maui (81.7) by a small but meaningful margin, likely reflecting lower stress, strong community ties, and healthy outdoor lifestyles. Provider access is comparable at 82 primary care physicians per 100,000, though mental health providers number just 244 per 100,000—the state's lowest.

Good coverage, tight mental health access

Kauai's 5.1% uninsured rate means about 1 in 20 residents lack health coverage, slightly above the state norm. Mental health providers trail statewide at just 244 per 100,000, suggesting residents may face longer waits or travel for behavioral health services.

Ensure your plan covers island care

Kauai residents should confirm their plans cover both island services and any care needed off-island. Check your coverage during open enrollment and ask about provider networks, especially for mental health and specialized services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kauai County

via RiskByCounty

Kauai County faces moderate disaster risk nationwide

With a composite risk score of 84.45, Kauai County ranks as relatively moderate risk — above the national average but notably lower than several other Hawaiian counties. This score reflects the island's geographic exposure combined with natural hazard vulnerabilities.

Third-safest county among Hawaii's four

Kauai County's 84.45 score places it above Hawaii's state average of 74.99 by 9 points, ranking it safer than Hawaii and Honolulu counties but riskier than Kalawao. This moderate positioning reflects the island's balance of exposure and natural protections.

Safer than neighboring Hawaii and Honolulu counties

Kauai County's 84.45 risk score sits substantially below Hawaii County's 98.51 and Honolulu's 98.76, though slightly above Maui County's 93.13. The island's geographic isolation and terrain characteristics contribute to this relative moderation.

Flooding and wildfires present the primary hazards

Flood risk reaches 90.62 here — Kauai's highest hazard score — while wildfire risk scores 93.07, reflecting the island's diverse terrain from lush valleys to dry slopes. Earthquake risk of 42.84 represents moderate concern compared to other Hawaiian islands.

Flood and wildfire coverage strengthens your protection

Kauai County residents should prioritize flood insurance and discuss wildfire protection with their agents, as standard policies typically exclude both. Adding these specialized coverages addresses the island's most significant natural hazard threats.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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