City Comparison
Wailuku vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wailuku scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wailuku
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 Wailuku.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wailuku's average rent is
43% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Wailuku | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,466 | +43% |
| Groceries | $520 | $600 | -13% |
| Utilities | $220 | $475 | -54% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,270 | $2,891 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wailuku offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wailuku delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wailuku is estimated at
$62,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Wailuku | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,647 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wailuku runs warmer on average — a 75.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wailuku comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wailuku sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wailuku | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wailuku has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Hilo.
Wailuku scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wailuku leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wailuku | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Wailuku.
From a growth perspective, Wailuku 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 | Wailuku | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,200 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wailuku
Advantages
Median home price appreciation has stabilized after recent peaks per Hawaii Association of Realtors data.
Serves as the administrative and government hub of Maui County with stable public sector jobs.
Immediate proximity to the scenic and historically significant Iao Valley State Monument.
Vibrant historic downtown featuring local artisan shops, cafes, and the historic ʻĪao Theater.
More authentic local community feel compared to tourist-heavy resort districts on the island.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the U.S. national average.
Limited housing inventory drives up both rental rates and purchase prices.
Island logistics and high shipping costs inflate everyday grocery and utility expenses.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours connecting to neighboring Kahului.
Vulnerability to tropical weather events and high humidity during summer months.
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.
Wailuku
#526Hawaii, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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