City Comparison
Wahiawa vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wahiawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wahiawa
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Wahiawa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wahiawa's average rent is
43% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,466 | +43% |
| Groceries | $500 | $600 | -17% |
| Utilities | $250 | $475 | -47% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $200 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $3,300 | $2,891 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wahiawa offers 63% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wahiawa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wahiawa is estimated at
$60,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,370 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wahiawa runs warmer on average — a 71.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wahiawa comes out ahead with 193 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wahiawa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wahiawa | 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 | 72.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Wahiawa.
Wahiawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wahiawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Wahiawa.
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 | Wahiawa | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,800 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wahiawa
Advantages
Proximity to Schofield Barracks provides a robust local economy and stable employment for defense contractors and civil servants.
Housing options are generally more affordable in Wahiawa compared to coastal Honolulu and nearby resort towns.
Central Oahu location offers convenient access to both the North Shore and Honolulu via major highways.
Rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary scene reflecting authentic local Hawaiian and Asian traditions.
Surrounded by natural attractions like the Wahiawa Botanical Garden and Lake Wilson recreation areas.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive utility rates consistent with the broader Hawaiian islands.
Traffic congestion along Kamehameha Highway during peak commuting hours heading toward Honolulu.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to downtown Honolulu or Waikiki.
Older housing stock in some neighborhoods may require significant maintenance and updates.
Property crime rates, particularly vehicle break-ins, require residents to maintain heightened security awareness.
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.
Wahiawa
#557Hawaii, USA
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
193/yr
Avg Temp
71.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
72
Business
62
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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