Cost of living
Maui is one of the most expensive places in the country to live. The median single-family home in Maui County sold for about $1.2 million in August 2026, and condos for about $565,000. Electricity runs over 40 cents a kilowatt hour, so solar is common, and groceries cost noticeably more than on the mainland.
Jobs
Tourism is the engine. Leisure and hospitality is the largest sector, about three in ten jobs, followed by trade and transportation, education and health care, and government. Many newcomers bring remote work or their own business with them.
Getting around
You will want a car. Maui Bus runs routes across Central, South, West and Upcountry Maui for $2 a ride, and riders 55 and over ride free. Traffic bunches up on the highway to West Maui and around Kahului at rush hour.
Health care
Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku is the island's only acute-care hospital and a Level III trauma center, run by Maui Health. Some specialty care still means a short flight to Honolulu, which is worth planning for.
Schools
Hawaii runs a single statewide public school district. Private options on Maui include Seabury Hall in Makawao, Kamehameha Schools Maui in Pukalani, St. Anthony in Wailuku and Haleakala Waldorf in Kula.
Water and power
Hawaiian Electric serves the island. Upcountry, county water meters have a long waitlist and many homes use catchment, so ask about the water source on every property. Many homes also still run on cesspools, which state law requires be converted by 2050.
Community
Public libraries in Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Makawao and Hana, the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the Maui Humane Society and a long list of volunteer groups. Showing up for these is the fastest way to make friends here.
Moving a pet
Start three to four months ahead. Dogs and cats need a microchip, two rabies shots more than 30 days apart and a passing FAVN blood test, then a 30-day wait. With the paperwork done, most pets qualify for release at the airport. Flying straight into Kahului needs an inspection permit requested 30 days ahead.
Shipping a car
Matson and Pasha Hawaii both ship cars to Kahului. To register it here you will need a Hawaii safety inspection, the bill of lading, your title and registration, and a stamped G-27 tax form.
Driver's license
A valid out-of-state license works until it expires. When you are ready, transfer it by appointment at the Kahului Service Center.
