countyscore
46.4
County Score
Property Tax 99.9Income & Jobs 93.9Health 92.1

County Report Card

About Maui County, Hawaii

Strong Metrics Despite National Ranking

Maui County scores 46.4, trailing the national median of 50.0. While it falls behind on national averages for safety and cost, it maintains elite scores in specific lifestyle categories.

Fourth Place in the Island Rankings

Maui sits slightly below the state average of 47.3, ranking fourth out of Hawaii's five counties. It excels in fiscal metrics but is weighed down by environmental risks and affordability.

Nation-Leading Tax and Health Scores

Maui achieves a staggering 99.9 tax score due to its 0.168% effective property tax rate. It also provides a premier health environment with a score of 92.1 and a high income score of 93.9.

Significant Cost and Risk Concerns

The county faces a cost score of 2.3, driven by a median home value of $858,600 and high rents. Safety and natural risk scores of 6.3 and 6.9 highlight areas where the county is most vulnerable.

A Haven for the Tax-Savvy Wealthy

Maui is an ideal match for high-net-worth individuals who want to minimize property taxes while enjoying elite health resources. It suits those who can afford high housing costs in exchange for world-class island living.

2040608010099.92.36.392.193.96.986Tax99.9Cost2.3Safety6.3Health92.1Schools—Income93.9Risk6.9Water86Weather—46.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Maui County DNA

Foverall

How Maui County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Maui County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (99.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
99.9+47.900000000000006
Cost
2.3-45.7
Safety
6.3-48.7
Health
92.1+42.099999999999994
Income
93.9+42.900000000000006
Risk
6.9-40.1
Water
86+28
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Compare mortgage rates in Maui County

Whether buying or refinancing in Maui County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$858,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,863/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$858,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$74,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum9.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $95,076/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.7

per 100K

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
Compare Maui County with McDuffie County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

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

Deep Dives

Maui County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Maui County

via TaxByCounty

Maui has nation's lowest property tax burden

Maui County's effective tax rate of 0.168% ranks in the bottom 1% nationally, less than one-fifth the national median of 0.92%. The median property tax of $1,442 is nearly half the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $858,600.

Maui ranks lowest among Hawaii counties

Maui County's effective tax rate of 0.168% is the lowest in Hawaii, significantly below the state average of 0.241%. Maui also collects the lowest median property tax of any Hawaiian county at $1,442.

Maui's rate undercuts all other island counties

Maui County (0.168%) has the lowest effective tax rate statewide, well below Kauai (0.225%), Hawaii County (0.286%), and Honolulu (0.284%). Despite having the second-highest median home value in the state, Maui residents enjoy the lowest overall tax burden.

Median Maui home: just $1,442 annually

On a median Maui home valued at $858,600, property owners pay approximately $1,442 per year in taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,477, while those without mortgages pay $1,390.

Appeal your assessment to unlock more savings

Even with Maui's already-low tax rates, many homeowners remain overassessed compared to recent market activity, especially in appreciating communities. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if your property's value exceeds its fair market valuation could further reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Maui County

via CostByCounty

Maui rents strain even above-average incomes

Maui County's 23.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national norm, even though its $95,076 median household income runs 27% above the U.S. average. Monthly rent of $1,863 reflects the islands' strong tourism economy and constrained housing supply.

Third-most expensive county statewide

Maui County ranks third from last among Hawaii's five counties for affordability, with a 23.5% rent-to-income ratio that tops the state average of 22.1%. Only Honolulu and Kauai counties impose greater housing burdens on their residents.

Maui rents compete with Kauai, Honolulu

Maui's $1,863 median rent nearly matches Kauai's $1,810 and trails Honolulu's $2,054, while exceeding Hawaii County and Kalawao considerably. This positioning reflects Maui's dual economy—resort tourism in Wailea and West Maui drives up all housing costs across the county.

Over a quarter of income for housing

Maui residents spend 23.5% of their $95,076 median household income—roughly $1,863 monthly—on rent, with homeownership even pricier at $2,025 per month. Median home values of $858,600 mean that purchasing requires either substantial savings or household incomes well above the $95,076 median.

Maui: premium island living with tradeoffs

Maui's beaches, culture, and amenities justify high housing costs for many, but the 23.5% rent-to-income ratio demands solid household incomes to make the move sustainable. Compare your income against Maui's $95,076 median and budget for the reality that nearly a quarter of earnings will go toward housing alone.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Maui County

via IncomeByCounty

Maui County earns well above U.S. average

Maui County's median household income of $95,076 runs 27% above the national median of $74,755, placing it among America's wealthier counties. This income advantage reflects Maui's robust tourism economy, resort development, and broader prosperity across the island economy.

Third-highest income in Hawaii

Maui County ranks third among Hawaii's five counties at $95,076, just 4% below the state average of $91,283 and trailing only Honolulu County ($104,264). The county edges ahead of Kauai County ($93,612), reflecting its larger population and diversified economic base.

Island prosperity rivals Kauai and beats Big Island

Maui County's $95,076 income virtually matches Kauai County's $95,076, while substantially outpacing Hawaii County by $17,861. The tight income parity between Maui and Kauai reflects similar tourism-dependent economies, though Maui's larger population and resort concentration drive comparable earning power.

Strong income pressured by steep housing costs

Maui County's median home value of $858,600 combined with a 23.5% rent-to-income ratio means housing remains a major expense despite healthy incomes. Residents earning $95,076 dedicate over $22,000 annually to rent or mortgages, comparable to affordability pressures faced across Hawaii's outer islands.

Invest beyond Maui's housing market

Maui County households earning $95,076 should diversify wealth-building beyond island real estate, which may be priced beyond fundamentals. Work with a financial advisor to build retirement accounts, equity portfolios, and other assets that can grow while you manage housing costs and enjoy Maui's lifestyle.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Maui County

via CrimeByCounty

Understanding Maui’s Safety Landscape

Maui County reports a total crime rate of 3203.9 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these figures, it still maintains a respectable safety score of 94.9.

Maui’s Rank within Hawaii

Maui currently ranks fourth in safety among the four counties in the state. Its total crime rate of 3203.9 is higher than the state average of 2690.8, and its safety score falls just below the state average of 95.8.

How Maui Compares Locally

Maui faces a higher crime rate than all of its neighbors, including Honolulu (2900.5) and Hawaii County (2556.9). Kauai remains the safest island comparison with a rate of only 2101.7.

Breakdown of Maui Crime Data

Property crime is the most frequent issue, occurring at a rate of 2903.5 per 100,000 residents. While the violent crime rate of 300.4 is the highest in the state, it remains lower than the national average of 369.8.

Focusing on Home and Property

Given that property crime is the primary concern, residents should invest in visible security measures like alarms and cameras. Stay vigilant in securing valuables to mitigate the impact of the county's higher-than-average theft rates.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Disaster Risk in Maui County

via RiskByCounty

Maui County faces relatively moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 93.13, Maui County ranks as relatively moderate risk — above the national average but lower than several peer counties. This score reflects significant exposure to island-specific hazards that residents actively manage.

Second-safest county in Hawaii overall

Maui County's 93.13 score exceeds Hawaii's state average of 74.99 by 18 points, ranking it safer than Hawaii and Honolulu counties. Only Kalawao County presents lower composite risk statewide.

Safer than Big Island but riskier than Kauai

Maui County's 93.13 score sits below Hawaii County's 98.51 and Honolulu's 98.76, but slightly above Kauai County's 84.45. This positioning reflects the county's middle-ground exposure across Hawaii's hazard landscape.

Earthquakes, floods, and wildfires drive risk profile

Earthquake risk scores 97.14 — Maui County's highest hazard — while flood risk reaches 93.67 and wildfire risk 95.26. Hurricane risk of 69.50 adds seasonal concern during peak Pacific storm season.

Earthquake and flood insurance are critical safeguards

Maui County homeowners should secure both earthquake and flood coverage beyond standard policies, given the county's substantial exposure to these hazards. Working with a local insurance professional ensures your protection strategy addresses all major island threats.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Maui County

via WaterByCounty

Maui maintains a perfect safety record

The county earned a Grade A with zero health violations over the last five years. This performance beats the state average and ranks Maui among the best in the nation for compliance.

Federal watershed health data is missing

Maui's water bodies are not yet covered by the federal §303(d) assessment framework. Local watershed health is currently managed outside of this specific federal reporting cycle.

Strong monitoring presence across the county

Scientists gathered 52,085 measurements from 168 sites over the past five years. Physical characteristics, nutrients, and microbiological markers are the most frequently measured groups.

Oheo Gulch flow reaches critical low

The primary gauge near Kipahulu reports a discharge of just 1 cfs, a mere 1% of its 52 cfs long-term mean. This indicates an extreme drought or significant flow diversion in the area.

Exercise caution during severe low flows

While drinking water compliance is perfect, the 1% streamflow level at Oheo Gulch signals a critical water shortage. Residents should strictly follow local conservation guidelines to protect dwindling source water.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Lawn Care in Maui County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Turf in Maui's Microclimates

Maui presents a complex lawn care landscape compared to the national average difficulty score of 50.0. The lack of dormancy means you must provide year-round support to your turf to keep it healthy and competitive against weeds.

Adapting to Diverse Weather Patterns

Specific growing degree days and precipitation stats are not recorded here, requiring a localized approach to watering. The island's intense sun can quickly dry out lawns, making smart scheduling vital for turf survival.

Building a Strong Maui Soil Base

With no data available for soil pH or clay content, a DIY soil test kit is an essential tool for any Maui homeowner. Understanding your specific soil texture will help you determine how often to water and which nutrients to add.

Battling Critical Water Scarcity

Drought is a major concern, with 36.5% of the county in severe drought and 53 weeks of drought over the past year. To protect your lawn, consider installing drip irrigation or choosing turf that can survive extended dry periods.

Selecting Drought-Hardy Grasses

Bermuda and Zoysia grasses are top contenders for Maui because of their excellent drought tolerance once established. You can plant year-round, but ensure you have a dedicated water plan to help new grass survive the current severe dry spell.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maui County's county score?
Maui County, Hawaii has a composite county score of 46.4 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 Maui County rank among counties in Hawaii?
Maui County ranks #4 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 Maui County, Hawaii?
The median annual property tax in Maui County is $1,442, with an effective tax rate of 0.17%. This earns Maui County a tax score of 99.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Maui County?
The median household income in Maui County, Hawaii is $95,076 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Maui County earns an income score of 93.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Maui County, Hawaii a good place to live?
Maui County scores 46.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Hawaii. The best way to evaluate Maui 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 Maui County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.