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Retirement community in Kapaa, Hawaii

Photo by Jeremy Huang on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@plover37)

Kapaa, Hawaii Retirement Guide

59

Retirement Score

Kapaa, Hawaii at a Glance

Median Home Price
$691,400
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.
Avg January Low
66.6°F
Cost of Living Index
111.1 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
59 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Kapaa, Hawaii, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
111.1 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$87,895High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Kapaa's cost of living is 11.099999999999994% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$691,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,829High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
63.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Kapaa using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,498

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,682

Median home price used: $691,400

Median rent reference: $1,829 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Kapaa, Hawaii after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
44.9 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Kapaa scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Kapaa

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Kapaa

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Hawaii has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
79.2°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
66.6°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
66.6"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
349 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 349 sunny days a year and an average January low of 66.6°F, Kapaa offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
9.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
10,846High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
45.7High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
20.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
6.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
36.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
32.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
0.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
10.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
33.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Kapaa

What is the cost of living in Kapaa, Hawaii for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 111, roughly 11% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $691,400.

Does Hawaii tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Hawaii residents: State income tax; Social Security exempt; many pensions partially or fully exempt depending on source.

What is the climate like in Kapaa, Hawaii?

Kapaa, Hawaii has January average low around 67°F, July average high around 79°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Kapaa, Hawaii?

Kapaa scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in Kapaa? Talk to a Local Expert.

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