City Comparison
Honolulu vs Makakilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Makakilo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Makakilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Honolulu | Makakilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,200 | 0% |
| Groceries | $520 | $500 | +4% |
| Utilities | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $280 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,350 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 165 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Makakilo offers 9% lower 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 Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $65,000 in Makakilo.
| Metric | Honolulu | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 47,273 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
| Metric | Honolulu | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | 63.70°F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | 24.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 246 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Honolulu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Makakilo.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Honolulu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Honolulu | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 68.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 15.3x the population of Makakilo.
From a growth perspective, Makakilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Honolulu | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 22,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Honolulu
Advantages
Year-round tropical climate with average temperatures around 76.5°F and abundant sunshine.
World-class outdoor recreation including pristine beaches, surfing spots, and scenic mountain hiking trails.
Extremely low rates of violent crime compared to mainland U.S. metropolitan areas of similar size.
Diverse and vibrant multicultural community centered around the unique Aloha spirit.
Serves as the economic, educational, and advanced healthcare hub of the entire Pacific region.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses than the national U.S. average.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major island thoroughfares.
High utility and grocery costs driven by the logistical challenges of island importation.
Limited geographic expansion space for housing, contributing to severe real estate supply constraints.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and natural climate disruptions.
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
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Honolulu
#540Hawaii, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
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
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