City Comparison
Schofield Barracks vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schofield Barracks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Schofield Barracks
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Schofield Barracks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Schofield Barracks's average rent is
36% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Schofield Barracks | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,466 | +36% |
| Groceries | $480 | $600 | -20% |
| Utilities | $220 | $475 | -54% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $3,060 | $2,891 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schofield Barracks offers 63% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schofield Barracks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Schofield Barracks is estimated at
$60,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Schofield Barracks | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,400 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $80,388 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Schofield Barracks runs warmer on average — a 71.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Schofield Barracks comes out ahead with 193 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Schofield Barracks sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Schofield Barracks | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 193 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schofield Barracks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hilo.
Schofield Barracks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schofield Barracks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Schofield Barracks | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Schofield Barracks.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schofield Barracks | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,270 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.18% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 22.7 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Schofield Barracks
Advantages
Median household income in the surrounding area ($80,388) provides a stable economic baseline supported by federal employment.
Exceptionally secure environment with controlled base access points and low internal crime rates.
Abundant recreational amenities including fitness centers, pools, and close proximity to Oahu's North Shore beaches.
High rates of health insurance coverage with premier military and regional medical facilities nearby.
Strong community support networks, military family programs, and diverse cultural integration.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by island logistics, imported goods, and elevated utility rates.
Competitive housing market with high rental and property purchase costs across central Oahu.
Traffic congestion on primary arterial highways during peak commuting hours toward Honolulu.
Transience of the population due to military permanent change of station (PCS) rotations.
Steep electricity expenses impacting monthly household utility budgets.
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.
Schofield Barracks
#451Hawaii, USA
55.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
193/yr
Avg Temp
71.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
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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