What It’s Like Living On Maui

Living on Maui is a dream for many. But what’s it really like?

If you’re considering moving to Maui, here’s an honest take.

The truth is, living on Maui is just like living anywhere else. Of course, we have a great climate and beautiful beaches, and that alone makes living on Maui enjoyable.

But for full-time residents, living on Maui is “real life” and not a year-round vacation. And just like anywhere, life on Maui comes with its challenges.

Curious about what Maui living entails? Let’s break down the pros and cons of living in Maui.

 

What It’s Like Living On Maui

 

First, the good.

 

Mild Climate

The mild climate is the most alluring aspect of life in Maui. Cool nights and warm days are typical.

There are no scorching heat waves or freezing winters on Maui. For us, 95 degrees is blazing hot, and 65 degrees is frigid.

Of course, we do get severe weather from time to time, including windstorms, occasional tropical storms, and heavy rains. Summers have become increasingly dry, and there is a high wildfire risk.

 

Varied Microclimates

Another draw to living on Maui is the island’s many microclimates.

You can live in the mountains, but the rainforest or “desert” is just 30 minutes away. It can be pouring rain at your house, but the other side of the island is bright and sunny. This variety is a huge allure to some.

 

Beautiful Beaches and Outdoor Activities

You might feel drawn to living in Maui if you love the beach and being outdoors.

Going to the beach is by far the most popular recreational activity for Maui residents. How could it not be?!

There are over 80 accessible beaches on Maui, and each has something unique to offer.

There are also many outdoor opportunities on Maui, from hiking to surfing to snorkeling to kayaking and mountain biking.

 

Culture and People

The island culture and people are some of my favorite things about Maui.

When we say “culture,” we mean both Hawaiian culture and contemporary island culture. Things are more relaxed here, and respect for land, sea, and each other is paramount.

Community is a big deal here, and Maui is a tight-knit place. If you can become involved with the local community, your experience on Maui will improve tenfold.

However, some new residents find it difficult to integrate themselves socially on Maui.

 

Safe Place to Live

Maui is a generally safe place to live.

Yes, petty crimes happen. Cars get broken into or stolen. Drug use is not uncommon. But violent crimes are few and far between, and they are usually isolated incidents.

Compared to life in major cities on the mainland, Maui is very safe.

 

Next, the downsides.

 

Extremely High Cost of Living

It’s no secret that living in Hawaii is extremely expensive.

The cost of renting or buying a home on Maui is quite absurd. The median price for a single-family home in Maui is $1.3 million (as of 2024).

Meanwhile, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,400 a month (according to RentHop).

 

Groceries are also incredibly expensive.

You can expect to spend at least 30 percent more on groceries on Maui than on the mainland—and even more on products like milk, eggs, and meat. And that’s why everyone on Maui shops at Costco!

However, gasoline on Maui is fairly average, especially when compared to states like California. Plus, Hawaii’s sales tax is only 4.5% — one of the lowest in the country.

 

Housing Shortage

Part of the reason housing is so expensive on Maui is that there is simply not enough. Demand greatly outweighs supply.

Fairly priced rentals are usually snapped up immediately, and finding a home that allows pets is very challenging on Maui.

If money is no object, then finding a place to live in Maui is not as challenging. But for the average person, housing is one of the biggest hurdles to living on Maui.

 

Limited Career Opportunities

Unlike on the mainland, where the sky’s the limit, Maui has very limited opportunities for career growth.

Maui’s main industry is tourism, and many people work in Maui hotels, restaurants, or other forms of hospitality. Retail, construction, education, and healthcare are also big industries here.

Unfortunately, wages on Maui are low relative to the cost of living. Many residents have to work two to three jobs to afford life here, which leaves little time to enjoy all that Maui has to offer.

 

“Island Fever”

“Island fever” is something most new residents don’t expect.

Maui is a small place. Sooner or later, you’ll start to feel like you’ve done it all and seen everything. Some people don’t mind the mellow lifestyle here, but others can start to find it boring.

Some people start to miss the action of living on the mainland. Some miss the nightlife or their social scene back home. Others start to miss the simple luxuries like road trips or even big box stores that Maui doesn’t have.

Island fever can make people feel stuck, claustrophobic, or bored. Aside from lack of housing, it’s probably one of the biggest reasons new residents move back to the mainland.

 

Far From Family

Hawaii is one of the most isolated island chains in the world. The US mainland is a 5-6 hour flight away, and that’s just the West Coast. Getting to the East Coast from Hawaii requires nearly a full day of travel.

Some people find it difficult to travel thousands of miles just to see family or to miss out on birthdays, holidays, and other milestone events.

So, there you have it.

Yes, living on Maui has some amazing perks. The beautiful beaches and perfect climate can make it easy to overlook the challenges.

But that’s not to say life on Maui is perfect. Like we said, living on Maui is “real life,” and things aren’t always perfect here. But nonetheless, we love life on Maui.

We hope this sheds light on what living in Maui is really like.

 

Mahalo for reading!