City Comparison
Makakilo vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Makakilo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Makakilo
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Makakilo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Makakilo's average rent is
50% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Makakilo | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,466 | +50% |
| Groceries | $500 | $600 | -17% |
| Utilities | $220 | $475 | -54% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,891 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Makakilo offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Makakilo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Makakilo is estimated at
$65,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Makakilo | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,273 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Makakilo runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Makakilo comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Makakilo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Makakilo | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Makakilo.
Makakilo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Makakilo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Makakilo | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Makakilo.
From a growth perspective, Makakilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Makakilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Makakilo | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,500 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Makakilo
Advantages
Sweeping panoramic ocean and mountain views across the Leeward coast
Significantly cooler evening temperatures compared to sea-level Honolulu
Family-friendly residential vibe with low violent crime rates
Proximity to the expanding commercial and retail hub of Kapolei
Strong median household income levels compared to the national average
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices than mainland averages
Heavy car dependency due to steep hillside terrain and limited public transit
Severe peak-hour traffic congestion along the H-1 freeway commute corridor
Limited walkability for daily errands within the residential subdivisions
High electricity and utility costs typical of island living in Hawaii
Hilo
Advantages
Hilo boasts a lush, tropical environment with abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The city is a cultural hub, hosting significant events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
The job market in Hilo saw a healthy employment growth rate of 4.88% from 2023 to 2024.
Healthcare and Educational Services are strong and growing industries, offering stable employment opportunities.
The homeownership rate in Hilo is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Hilo is significantly higher than the national average, particularly for housing, utilities, and groceries.
Hilo has a high property crime rate, which is 41% higher than the national average, making residents more susceptible to theft.
Public transportation is minimal and unreliable, making the city largely car-dependent for daily errands and commutes.
Utility costs, especially for electricity, are exceptionally high due to reliance on imported fuel.
The average rent for apartments, particularly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, is considerably higher than many mainland cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Makakilo
#430Hawaii, USA
56.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
Hilo
#601Hawaii, USA
39.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,466
Avg Salary
$41,708
Cost Index
146
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
23.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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