Maui County

Hawaii · HI

#4 in Hawaii
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Maui County, Hawaii

Maui Ranks Above National Livability Median

Maui County's composite score of 63.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties overall. The score reflects a community offering multiple livability advantages despite Hawaii's well-known affordability challenges.

Maui Trails Slightly Behind State Average

Maui County scores 63.6, falling just below Hawaii's state average of 64.9, and ranks fifth (last) among the state's five counties. Despite this ranking, the county remains above the national livability benchmark.

Exceptional Tax Treatment and Health Systems

Maui County offers the nation's lowest effective tax rate at 0.168%, earning an outstanding 97.5 tax score. The county also delivers strong health outcomes at 81.7 and maintains low natural disaster risk at 6.9.

Housing Costs Squeeze Middle-Income Residents

Maui's cost score of 43.2 reflects a median home value of $858,600 and median rent of $1,863—among Hawaii's highest. Income scores of 45.4 suggest median household income of $95,076 leaves many families financially stretched.

Suits Tax-Conscious Affluent Island Dwellers

Maui County attracts high-net-worth individuals, retirees with substantial savings, and successful entrepreneurs who prioritize minimal tax burden. The islands' world-class tax advantages, reliable healthcare, and low disaster risk reward those financially equipped to handle premium island living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax97.5Cost43.2SafetyComing SoonHealth81.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome45.4Risk6.9WaterComing Soon
🏛97.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠43.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼45.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
81.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
6.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Maui County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

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.

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.

Health in Maui County

via HealthByCounty

Maui far outpaces US life expectancy

Maui residents live to 81.7 years, nearly 5.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a significant advantage rooted in strong healthcare access and healthy lifestyles. Just 15.1% report poor or fair health, slightly below national rates and suggesting overall wellbeing that exceeds much of the country.

Maui matches state averages closely

At 81.7 years, Maui sits just 0.4 years below Hawaii's state average of 81.3 years, performing in line with the broader islands. The county's 4.7% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 4.8%, reflecting stable coverage across the community.

Solid health metrics, room to grow

Maui's 81.7-year life expectancy trails Kauai (82.4) by just 0.7 years and ties Honolulu, positioning it in the state's upper tier. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000, Maui offers solid access but lags Honolulu's 93 per 100,000.

Near-universal coverage on Maui

Just 4.7% of Maui residents lack health insurance, meaning about 95% have some form of coverage—better than Hawaii's state average. Primary care access is solid at 83 per 100,000, though mental health providers number 233 per 100,000, the second-lowest in the state.

Review your coverage this year

If you're among Maui's uninsured residents or thinking about switching plans, open enrollment is your chance to find affordable coverage. Contact Hawaii's marketplace or a local insurance agent to explore options that fit your healthcare needs.

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.

ByCounty Network

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