Best small towns to live in Hawaii

1. 1
   Puhi, HI Score 74/100

   4,362 people · typical home $701k · household income $137k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 3.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Waimea, HI Score 69/100

   9,286 people · typical home $677k · household income $100k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 5.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Keaau, HI Score 67/100

   1,436 people · typical home $333k · household income $85k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 3.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Kealakekua, HI Score 65/100

   1,919 people · typical home $644k · household income $103k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI Score 65/100

   13,203 people · typical home $457k · household income $88k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 3.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Orchidlands Estates, HI Score 65/100

   3,027 people · typical home $386k · household income $74k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Laie, HI Score 65/100

   5,699 people · typical home $941k · household income $125k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 6.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Waimea, HI Score 64/100

   1,840 people · typical home $770k · household income $89k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Lihue, HI Score 64/100

   7,901 people · typical home $879k · household income $93k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 1.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Poipu, HI Score 63/100

    1,175 people · typical home $1.1M · household income $143k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Kurtistown, HI Score 62/100

    3,151 people · typical home $449k · household income $96k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 4.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Waikapu, HI Score 60/100

    3,591 people · typical home $884k · household income $123k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Honokaa, HI Score 60/100

    1,963 people · typical home $611k · household income $87k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Papaikou, HI Score 60/100

    1,332 people · typical home $434k · household income $79k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 4.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Kapaa, HI Score 60/100

    11,094 people · typical home $861k · household income $89k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Lanai City, HI Score 59/100

    3,393 people · typical home $630k · household income $92k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 3.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Kaiminani, HI Score 59/100

    11,465 people · typical home $773k · household income $111k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Hawaiian Acres, HI Score 58/100

    3,872 people · typical home $318k · household income $91k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 2.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI Score 57/100

    5,150 people · typical home $887k · household income $96k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 4.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Kaunakakai, HI Score 56/100

    4,360 people · typical home $368k · household income $76k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 7.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Napili-Honokowai, HI Score 56/100

    7,308 people · typical home $879k · household income $106k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 6.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Kualapuu, HI Score 56/100

    2,535 people · typical home $318k · household income $63k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 7.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Anahola, HI Score 55/100

    3,067 people · typical home $530k · household income $101k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 3.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Mountain View, HI Score 55/100

    3,756 people · typical home $357k · household income $69k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 8.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Wailua Homesteads, HI Score 54/100

    5,431 people · typical home $943k · household income $90k · schools in the top 50% of HI · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Hawaii with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Hawaii on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Hawaii districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

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