9 Best Hawaii Towns For Retirees
Some places in Hawaii are dense and jungly, others wet and rainy, and others are beautifully warm and sun-kissed. However, regardless of your location, you will find Hawaiian landscapes more stunning than anywhere you have ever come across. You will find wild and magical terrains, black-sand beaches, and hot springs heated by volcanoes. As for beaches, Hawaii is home to some of the most magical beaches on the planet. One little downside is that Hawaii is not among the cheapest states to retire. However, you can still find places that are reasonably priced, where you can buy a home and have some cash to spare, with impressive healthcare access. For specific recommendations, discover the nine best Hawaii towns for retirees below.
Hilo (Big Island)
Hilo is a small town of about 48,000 residents on the Big Island. It is loved for its lush rainforest scenery, sparkling waterfalls, and beautiful botanical gardens, such as the spellbinding Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, an immaculately groomed space just 6 miles from downtown Hilo. Retirees here have the iconic Palace Theater, a 1925 property that boasts a lovely stage for live performances and a screen for viewing both vintage and modern films. Additionally, Wailoa River State Recreation Area is a stunning riverfront park where people come to mingle with ducks, walk, or fish. The median listing home price in Hilo was $650,000 in May 2025, a price point that is cheaper than the median in the state by more than $100,000. To cap it off, retirees have access to Hilo Medical Center, a well-rated 28-bed facility that features the state's second busiest Emergency Department.
Wailuku (Maui)
Wailuku offers empty nesters the chance to retire amidst beautiful views of the West Maui Mountains. The town boasts a neat, historic downtown with several locally owned shops, a decent number of cute cafes, and artsy vibes. That said, Wailuku is in Maui, generally considered a pricey area in the real estate space. However, compared to other towns in Maui, Wailuku is significantly cheaper. Houses here fetch a median listing price of $999,000, significantly lower than Maui's $1.2Million. Notable amenities include the Maui Memorial Medical Center, the only acute care hospital on the Valley Isle. One can spend time at places such as the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, which, although not flashy, is invitingly peaceful and inspiring. Other outdoor pleasure spots include the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course, a cool 18-hole course with a restaurant, and Waiehu Beach Park, a secluded area with crystal-clear turquoise water.
Lihue (Kauai)
Lihue is a small, quiet town that provides a slower pace of life for retirees. It is the capital of Kauai and has an airport, a small but resource-rich public library, and a reasonably priced housing market. The median listing home price in Lihue was $725,000 in May 2025, significantly lower than the statewide median of $770,000. Places to spend time include the many sandy beaches around town (Kalapaki Beach is particularly scenic), Ahukini Recreational Pier State Park, which features a wooden walkway and incredibly scenic views, and Wailua Golf Course, loved for its lush greenery and dramatic ocean views. On healthcare access, Wilcox Memorial Hospital is in town and is a two-time recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award.
Pāhoa (Big Island - Puna District)
Hawaii Route 130 is a stunning drive, especially if you enjoy the lush, untamed beauty of the Big Island’s Puna District. One of the towns the road winds through is a tiny charmer known as Pahoa, a laid-back location surrounded by lush forests and hot springs. It may be small, but shopping venues such as Pahoa Market in the Park are coming up nicely, meaning one won't miss places to pick groceries and other essential stuff. Lava Tree State Monument has lovely trails to explore and numerous, well-preserved trees to admire. Other fun outdoor venues include the nearby MacKenzie State Recreation Area, a quiet, peaceful place filled with the power and grandeur of the ocean, and Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, an outdoor paradise that brings nature straight to your soul. If under the weather, Hilo Medical Center, which won the 2025 Stroke Care Excellence Award, is just 30 minutes down the road. The best part? The median listing home price in Pahoa was $352,500 in May 2025, a price point that leans more towards Alabama than it does Hawaii.
Kaneohe (Oahu - Windward Side)
Hawaii is big on nature, and places like Kaneohe, which boasts a lush, green setting with stunning views of the Koʻolau Mountains, offer a fitting tribute. The best part is that Kaneohe is incredibly close to Honolulu but feels markedly different and less touristy. You can brush your teeth and 15 minutes later, sit down to a hearty breakfast in downtown Honolulu. You will enjoy exploring places such as the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, which provides access to the famous Manoa Falls waterfall, the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, a stunning space featuring flowers from around the world, and Kāneʻohe Beach Park, renowned for its soft sand, secluded setting, and soothing waterfront views. Because of its proximity to Honolulu, Kaneohe offers easy access to nearby medical facilities and shopping centers. The median listing home price in Kaneohe was $853K in May 2025.
Kapaau (Big Island)
Kapaau is one of the Big Island’s best-kept secrets, and one reason is its affordability. The median listing home price in Kapaau was $795,000 in May 2025, which is a steal, especially if you know something about house prices on the Big Island. Kapaau itself is lush and tropical, boasts a thriving arts community, and has an endearing hometown feel that is easy to fall in love with. You can spend the day with a gripping read at the North Kohala Public Library, tee away a slow afternoon at the North Kohala Golf Park, or sink your feet in the sand at places like Kēōkea Beach Park, a beautiful space to see huge breaking waves crashing over exposed rocks. Kohala Hospital, whose history goes back to 1917, is a Critical Access Hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. It is right in town.
Mountain View (Big Island)
Most of Puna district, including Mountain View, is in a rural, outdoorsy environment where the air is fresh and fragrant, communities are close-knit, and the pace is slow and restful. It is a bit inland, about 20 miles to be precise, but is backdropped by one of the world’s tallest mountains: Mauna Kea. Considering what it offers, it is surprising that Mountain View is still among the cheapest towns to retire in Hawaii. The median listing home price in Mountain View was just $360,000 in May 2025. Outdoor spots include the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, Kilauea Caverns of Fire (for an incredible lava tube tour), and Waiakea Forest Reserve, a tranquil space to rest or reconnect with nature. To crown it all, the award-winning Hilo Medical Center is right next door.
Mililani, Oahu
Mililani does not shout about its credentials, although it is often ranked among the best places to live in Hawaii. The small, laid-back town is unique for several reasons, including the fact it is bordered by incredibly dense vegetation that looks almost like a jungle. Still, once in a while, one can catch a top-tier performance at Consolidated Theatres, a big name renowned for its recliner seats and wide aisles. There is the Mililani Public Library, a haven for book lovers, the well-maintained Mililani Golf Club, and the nearby Wahiawā Botanical Garden. The median listing home price in Mililani was $549,000 in May 2025, which is lower than the statewide median by over $200,000. The best part is that this price point comes with convenient access to the highly ranked Wahiawa General Hospital, which has been serving the community since 1944.
Waialua, Oʻahu
If you believe in keeping the country COUNTRY, the slogan that the North Shore of Oʻahu likes to trumpet, Waialua can be an excellent pick. Waialua is a great community with small mom-and-pop shops, a rich sugarcane farming heritage (the Chamberlain Plantation was once one of Hawaii's largest sugar producers), and lots of surfing opportunities. Haleiwa, Waialua’s next-door neighbor, is considered the Surfing Capital of the World. You can find almost anything you need at the North Shore Marketplace, mingle with turtles at ʻĀweoweo Beach Park, or hide with a good book at Waialua Public Library. The median listing home price in Waialua was $820,000 in May 2025, which is reasonably close to the statewide median. For any medical emergency, the highly rated Wahiawa General Hospital has been serving the North Shore community since the 1950s.
If you dream of soft ocean breezes, black-sand beaches, and landscapes that are incredibly pure and pristine, Hawaii will hold you in a trance you will never want to wake up from. You will enjoy wandering through dense rainforests, riding waves at some of the best surfing spots in the world, and sipping views that feel stolen from travel magazines. It may not be the cheapest state to retire, but Hawaii's raw and unspoilt beauty is priceless. Whether you pick Wailuku or Waialua, you will find a retirement spot with your name on it.
