City Comparison
Waipahu vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waipahu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waipahu
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 Waipahu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waipahu's average rent is
50% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Waipahu | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,466 | +50% |
| Groceries | $500 | $600 | -17% |
| Utilities | $250 | $475 | -47% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,380 | $2,891 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waipahu offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waipahu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waipahu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Waipahu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,571 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waipahu runs warmer on average — a 78°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waipahu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waipahu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Waipahu.
Waipahu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waipahu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waipahu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 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 0.8x the population of Waipahu.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Waipahu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,626 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waipahu
Advantages
Rich cultural heritage and diverse community with exceptional local dining and markets.
Strategic central Oʻahu location with growing access to the Skyline rail transit system.
Consistently warm tropical climate with year-round outdoor recreational opportunities.
Strong community identity and active neighborhood civic organizations.
Proximity to major employment centers in Central and urban Honolulu.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. mainland.
Heavy traffic congestion on the H-1 Freeway and local highways during peak hours.
Limited new housing inventory driving up purchase and rental prices.
High electricity and utility rates across the island.
Vulnerability to tropical weather events and climate-related infrastructure pressures.
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.
Waipahu
#572Hawaii, USA
46.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
78.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
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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