countyscore
50.2
County Score
Property Tax 99.6Income & Jobs 93.3Health 91.7

County Report Card

About Kauai County, Hawaii

Kauai Leads with Above-Average Livability

Kauai County earns a composite score of 50.2, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This makes it one of the few Hawaiian counties to outperform the typical American county in overall livability.

The Top-Rated County in Hawaii

Ranking first in the state, Kauai's score of 50.2 sits comfortably above the Hawaii average of 47.3. It sets the state benchmark for health, water quality, and income levels.

Low Taxes and Superior Health

The county boasts a nearly perfect tax score of 99.6 and a health score of 91.7. Combined with a strong water quality score of 86.0 and an income score of 93.3, the quality of life here is high.

Severe Housing and Safety Hurdles

With a cost score of 3.3, the $817,900 median home value creates a significant barrier to entry. Safety and natural risk scores also remain low at 19.5 and 15.6, respectively.

Best for Families Seeking Top Tier Quality

Kauai is the top choice for families who can afford the premium real estate market. It offers the best balance of health, income, and environmental quality in the state.

Score breakdown

Tax99.6Cost3.3Safety19.5Health91.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome93.3Risk15.6Water86WeatherComing Soon
🏛99.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠3.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼93.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡19.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤91.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡15.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
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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Nearby counties

Honolulu County
Hawaii
47.5
Kalawao County
Hawaii
44.8
Maui County
Hawaii
46.4
Hawaii County
Hawaii
47.5
Aleutians East Borough
Alaska
60.8
Mendocino County
California
44.1
Humboldt County
California
40
Sonoma County
California
44.8

Deep Dives

Kauai County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 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

Safety in Kauai County

via CrimeByCounty

Kauai: A National Safety Leader

Kauai County boasts an impressive safety score of 96.7, making it one of the most secure locations in the country. Its total crime rate of 2101.7 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

The Safest County in Hawaii

Kauai claims the top safety rank in the state, far exceeding the Hawaii average safety score of 95.8. Its total crime rate is nearly 600 points lower than the state average of 2690.8 per 100,000 residents.

Comparing Kauai to the Islands

Kauai is the clear safety leader when compared to Honolulu’s rate of 2900.5 and Maui’s rate of 3203.9. It also maintains a lower total crime rate than Hawaii County, which sits at 2556.9.

Low Rates Across All Categories

Kauai’s violent crime rate of 266.6 and property crime rate of 1835.1 are both well below national benchmarks. These figures translate to a remarkably low risk for residents compared to almost any other Hawaii county.

Maintaining a Secure Garden Isle

While Kauai is exceptionally safe, residents should still practice general awareness to prevent property crime. Simple habits like locking vehicles and securing outdoor equipment help maintain the island's high standard of safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Lawn Care in Kauai County

via LawnByCounty

Lush Living on the Garden Isle

Kauai's lawn care conditions are unique, though they lack a specific rating relative to the 50.0 national average. The island's reputation for lushness means your primary challenge is managing rapid, vigorous growth rather than survival.

Vigorous Growth in a Tropical Climate

While specific precipitation and temperature data are not available, the environment supports a continuous, aggressive growing season. Homeowners should prepare for frequent mowing and rapid thatch buildup in these fertile conditions.

Focusing on Drainage and Nutrients

Soil pH and texture data are limited, so testing your specific yard is crucial for identifying nutrient gaps. Good drainage is particularly important here to prevent root rot during periods of heavy tropical rainfall.

Thriving in Ideal Moisture Conditions

Kauai is currently in great shape with 0.0% of the area facing drought or even abnormally dry conditions. Although the county saw 40 weeks of drought in the past year, the current lack of water stress makes it a perfect time for lawn maintenance.

Success with Salt-Tolerant Turf

Seashore Paspalum is a favorite on Kauai for its striking color and ability to withstand coastal conditions. Because there is no frost to fear, you can start your lawn today to take full advantage of the current ideal moisture levels.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kauai County's county score?
Kauai County, Hawaii has a composite county score of 50.2 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 Kauai County rank among counties in Hawaii?
Kauai County ranks #1 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 Kauai County, Hawaii?
The median annual property tax in Kauai County is $1,840, with an effective tax rate of 0.23%. This earns Kauai County a tax score of 99.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kauai County?
The median household income in Kauai County, Hawaii is $93,612 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kauai County earns an income score of 93.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kauai County, Hawaii a good place to live?
Kauai County scores 50.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in Hawaii. The best way to evaluate Kauai 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 Kauai 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.