City Comparison
Honolulu vs Schofield Barracks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schofield Barracks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Schofield Barracks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Schofield Barracks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Honolulu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Honolulu's average rent is
10% higher than Schofield Barracks's.
| Metric | Honolulu | Schofield Barracks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,000 | +10% |
| Groceries | $520 | $480 | +8% |
| Utilities | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Transport | $140 | $140 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $220 | +27% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,060 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Honolulu offers 4% 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 Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $60,000 in Schofield Barracks.
| Metric | Honolulu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 54,400 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $80,388 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Honolulu comes out ahead with 51 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Honolulu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | 71.70°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | 61.00°F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | 30.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 193 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schofield Barracks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Honolulu.
Honolulu 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 | Honolulu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 21.1x the population of Schofield Barracks.
From a growth perspective, Schofield Barracks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Honolulu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Honolulu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 16,270 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.18% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 22.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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