10 Best Places to Retire in Hawaii

3. Nanakuli

Score: 16

Median home price: $271,100

Cost of living index: 141.9

Crime index: 45

On the same island, you can also find Nanakuli, a census-designated place that is home to over 12,600 people. The entire city spreads over 6.6 square miles and it is quite close to the Nanakuli Forest Reserve if you want to go enjoy some time out away from the beach and into the wilderness.

The median home price here is just a bit above $271,000 and you should be lucky to find something in the area since it’s so beautiful. Not to mention the fact that you’d have the ocean in your backyard and who doesn’t want that, right? The cost of living index is 141.9, quite a bit below the state’s average. The crime index is in the middle here too, so things aren’t too bad.

2. Hilo

Score: 18

Median home price: $226,100

Cost of living index: 133.2

Crime index: 47

The largest settlement in Hawaii County is Hilo and, unlike the others so far, it is on the island of Hawaii. There are over 43,000 people living here and it seems like the numbers keep growing. The city offers great views of Hilo Bay where you’ll find two volcanoes – Mauna Loa, which is active, and Mauna Kea, which is dormant. This is also where you’ll find some of the best astronomical observatories, including the Mauna Loa Observatory and the Gemini Observatory. There’s also an airport in Hilo so you can fly directly to and from here if you want to, with Hawaii Airlines and United Airlines operating here. Obviously, if you’re looking for entertainment you can find plenty here since it’s such a large city.

The median home price, unlike in other places, is quite low – $226,000, but depending on how deep your pockets go you can find something to suit your needs. The cost of living index is also surprisingly low – 133.2.