City Comparison
Honolulu vs Wahiawa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Wahiawa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wahiawa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Honolulu.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wahiawa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,100 | +5% |
| Groceries | $520 | $500 | +4% |
| Utilities | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $300 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,300 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Honolulu offers 4% 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 Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $60,000 in Wahiawa.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wahiawa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 50,370 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $82,000 |
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 | Wahiawa |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Honolulu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Wahiawa.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wahiawa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 19.3x the population of Wahiawa.
From a growth perspective, Wahiawa 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 | Wahiawa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 17,800 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.60% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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