Lihue, HI Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Lihue, HI Utility & Living Guide

Utilities, housing, taxes, cost of living, and local insights — everything residents and families need.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$360/mo
1BR Rent$1400/mo
Sales Tax4.166%
COL Index185 (+45% above national average)
Family Score8/10
Median Home$640,000
📷 Live Cameras — Lihue
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
🌤️ Live Weather — Lihue
Loading weather...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Lihue
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Lihue?

Moving to Lihue? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$200/mo

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
🔥 Gas

N/A - Electric only
💧 Water

$60/mo

Kauai Department of Water
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Kauai County Department of Public Works
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead$360/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1400/mo
2 Bedrooms$1800/mo
3 Bedrooms$2400/mo
Median Home Price$640,000
Property Tax Rate1.1%
Avg Childcare/mo$1200

The housing market in Lihue is highly competitive, with limited inventory and high demand. Rentals are scarce, and prices are rising. Buyers can expect to pay a premium for properties with ocean views or proximity to beaches.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

185

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+45% above national average

Groceries

120

Transportation

110

Healthcare

105

Childcare/mo

$1200

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax4.166%
Property Tax Rate1.1%
<p>State 4.166% + No County tax + No City tax</p>

Hawaii has a state income tax with rates ranging from 1.4% to 11%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
8/10
Safety Index

70

Higher = safer
School Rating

7.5/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1200/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Blue description
Business Momentum
Moderate with key industries in tourism, agriculture, and healthcare
Top Local Concerns
Traffic, affordable housing, environmental conservation
🚌 Transit for Families

Lihue's public transit system is limited, but the town is relatively small and walkable, with some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Kilohana Estate
  • 🎯
    Wailua River State Park
  • 🎯
    Kauai Children's Discovery Museum

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The best neighborhoods for families in Lihue include downtown Lihue, which offers a mix of old and new homes, and the surrounding areas of Puhi and Kapaa, which have more modern subdivisions and easy access to schools and amenities.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Lihue based on your household profile.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Lihue — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Lihue remain relatively consistent throughout the year, with minimal seasonal fluctuations. However, residents may experience slightly higher electricity bills during the summer months due to increased air conditioning usage.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

Key ZIP code level tax info: property tax millage rates range from 1.05% to 1.15% in Lihue's 96766 ZIP code, with no local surtaxes

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

Score 6/10: Lihue has some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks, but the town's infrastructure is not entirely geared towards families with young children, with some areas lacking elevator access and having uneven or narrow sidewalks.

📰 Latest HI Stories
Hawaii Living Report — July 27, 2026

Hawaii Living Report — July 27, 2026

The dream of trading a mainland commute for the sound of breaking waves is powerful, but anyone considering...

Read more →
Hawaii Living Report — July 26, 2026

Hawaii Living Report — July 26, 2026

Dreaming of paradise often conjures images of Hawaii’s turquoise waters and volcanic landscapes, but for the 1,450,589 residents...

Read more →
Hawaii Living Report — July 25, 2026

Hawaii Living Report — July 25, 2026

The decision to relocate to Hawaii often begins with a postcard image of turquoise water and volcanic peaks,...

Read more →
Hawaii Living Report — July 24, 2026

Hawaii Living Report — July 24, 2026

The dream of trading mainland traffic for gentle trade winds and a daily soundtrack of ocean waves is...

Read more →
Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.