Is Kahului Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kahului
Kahului, located on the island of Maui in Hawaii, serves as a vital commercial and transportation hub. It hosts the island’s main airport and a deep-draft harbor, making it a gateway for both residents and tourists. The area is characterized by its retail centers, light industrial zones, and a population that reflects a diverse cultural background.
This city is a central point for commerce and services on Maui, offering a range of amenities and employment opportunities. Its strategic location and infrastructure support its role as a key economic driver for the island, while also providing a unique island lifestyle for its inhabitants.
Is it Safe to Live in Kahului?
Kahului presents a mixed safety profile, with crime rates that warrant attention. The overall crime rate is considered moderate, with a score of 0.3 and a neighborhood safety grade of B (as reported by DoorProfit). However, specific analyses indicate that the crime rate is considerably higher than the national average, with 23 crimes per one thousand residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Violent crime in Kahului has a rate of 2.378 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly lower than the average U.S. city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime, however, is more concerning, with a rate of 45.79 per 1,000 residents, which is much higher than the average U.S. city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of crime varies significantly by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 4 in the northeast to 1 in 35 in the central areas (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Cost of Living in Kahului
Kahului is recognized as an expensive place to live, with its cost of living index standing at 171, which is 71% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This high cost is significantly driven by housing expenses, which are 179% higher than the national average for both buying and renting (as reported by AreaVibes). Monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $3,514, including rent, or $1,120 excluding housing (as reported by CityCost).
For families, the estimated monthly costs can reach $6,530 including rent, or $2,506 for daily expenses alone (as reported by CityCost). These costs place Kahului among the most expensive cities in the United States, with its overall cost of living being 53% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).
Housing Costs
Housing is the most significant contributor to the high cost of living in Kahului. The median home price in Kahului was approximately $1,035,498 as of March 2026, showing a decrease of 4.7% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Another report indicates the median listing home price is $995,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). The median rental price in Kahului is around $2,500 per month, which is 25% higher than the national average (as reported by Zillow).
Renting an apartment can range from approximately $1,731 for a studio to $2,425 for a two-bedroom apartment (as reported by Apartments.com). Houses for rent are even more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $3,200 (as reported by Apartments.com).
Everyday Expenses
Beyond housing, other everyday expenses also contribute to Kahului’s high cost of living. Groceries in Kahului are not as affordable as in many comparable cities, with monthly grocery bills for a single person estimated at $440 (as reported by CityCost). Transportation costs are also elevated, with public transport priced at around $45.51 per month (as reported by CityCost).
While overall healthcare access and affordability in Hawaii are ranked highly, the cost of utilities, transportation, and food are notable expenses in Kahului. These combined costs necessitate a higher income to maintain a comfortable standard of living in the area.
Job Market and Economy
Kahului’s economy is supported by a diverse range of employers and industries, contributing to its overall economic landscape. The unemployment rate in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina Metropolitan Statistical Area was 9.2% in July 2021 (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). More recent data indicates an unemployment rate of 3.5% (as reported by Kahului, Hawaii Economy & Jobs).
Major employers in Kahului include Walmart, Maui Electric Company, and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, alongside other retail and service-based businesses (as reported by Wikipedia). The primary industries contributing to the local economy include Arts, Food, Education, Healthcare, and Retail (as reported by Kahului, Hawaii Economy & Jobs).
Major Employers
Several key organizations form the backbone of Kahului’s employment sector. Walmart and Maui Electric Company are significant employers, providing a substantial number of jobs within the community (as reported by Wikipedia). The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is also a major employer, particularly in the education and healthcare sectors.
Other notable employers include Hale Makua Health Services, Aloha Air Cargo, Zippy’s, and Roberts Hawaii (as reported by Wikipedia). These companies represent a mix of retail, services, and essential infrastructure, contributing to the employment stability of the region.
Salaries and Wages
The average salary in Kahului is approximately $40,965 per year, translating to about $19.69 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, another source indicates a higher average hourly wage of $31.83 for the Kahului-Wailuku Metropolitan Statistical Area, which equates to an annual salary of $71,220 (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert and Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Salaries in Kahului typically range between $32,150 and $47,534 annually, representing the 25th to 75th percentile (as reported by ZipRecruiter). While some sources suggest a lower average salary, the higher figures often reflect broader occupational categories and the metropolitan area as a whole, which may include higher-paying specialized roles.
Climate and Weather
Kahului experiences a hot semi-arid climate, characterized by warm temperatures and a distinct dry summer season (as reported by Wikipedia). The average annual rainfall is approximately 17.83 inches, spread over an average of 95 days (as reported by Wikipedia). Temperatures are generally pleasant, with monthly mean temperatures ranging from 71.8 °F in February to 79.7 °F in August (as reported by Wikipedia).
The city typically experiences about 21 nights annually with a low below 60 °F and 25 days with a high at or above 90 °F (as reported by Wikipedia). Humidity can make the summer months feel muggy, with the muggiest period lasting from May to December (as reported by Time and Date).
Temperatures
Temperatures in Kahului remain relatively stable throughout the year. The average high temperatures range from 81°F in January to 87°F in August (as reported by Time and Date). Record high temperatures have reached up to 97°F (as reported by Wikipedia).
Conversely, the record low temperature is 48°F (as reported by Wikipedia). The coolest month is January, with average lows around 61°F, while August is the warmest month, with average highs around 85°F and lows around 69°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Rainfall and Precipitation
Kahului’s annual precipitation averages around 17.23 inches (as reported by Time and Date). The wettest month is typically December, with an average of 3.17 inches of rain (as reported by Time and Date). March is also noted as the wettest month, receiving approximately 74 mm of precipitation over 12 rainy days (as reported by Wikipedia and Extreme Weather Watch).
The driest month is June, with an average of only 0.3 inches of rainfall over about 2.2 days (as reported by Time and Date and Wikipedia). The rainy season generally spans from October to April, while the drier season is from April to October (as reported by Time and Date).
Education and Schools
Kahului is served by the Hawaii Department of Education, which oversees the public school system in the area. The city offers a range of public educational institutions catering to different age groups, from elementary to high school.
Notable public schools in Kahului include Maui High School, Maui Waena Intermediate School, Kahului Elementary School, Lihikai Elementary School, and Pomaikaʻi Elementary School (as reported by Wikipedia). Higher education is accessible through the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, which is also located within the Kahului CDP.
School Ratings
Information on specific school ratings for Kahului is not readily available in the provided search results. However, the presence of multiple public schools and a college campus indicates a structured educational infrastructure within the community.
The Hawaii State Public Library System also operates the Kahului Library, providing valuable resources and services to the community. Further research into specific school performance metrics would be necessary for a detailed assessment of the educational environment.
Demographics
Kahului is home to a diverse population, with a total population of 28,219 residents as of the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). The median age in Kahului is 39.4 years (as reported by Wikipedia), though more recent estimates place the median age at 43 years (as reported by Point2Homes).
The racial makeup of Kahului is varied, with a significant Asian population. In 2024, Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents constituted the largest ethnic group, making up 3.2 times more than any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 29% of residents were born outside the country, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA).
Population Breakdown
As of the latest available data, Kahului has a population of approximately 28,288 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). Males constitute 49.4% of the population, while females make up 50.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). The age distribution shows that about 16.9% of residents are children under 15, and around 21.2% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).
The ethnic diversity is notable, with 56.5% of locals having Asian roots, 11.5% being Caucasian, and 1.4% identifying as African American (as reported by Point2Homes). Another 21.8% of the population includes residents of two or more races (as reported by Point2Homes).
Households and Income
Kahului has approximately 8,330 households, with an average of three members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Of these households, 71.8% are families, while 28.2% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes).
The median household income in Kahului is reported differently across sources, with one stating $46,656 (as reported by Wikipedia) and another indicating $98,077 (as reported by ZipRecruiter) and even $126,278 (as reported by AreaVibes). The poverty rate is reported at 8.74% (as reported by ZipRecruiter).