City Comparison
Honolulu vs Wailuku
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wailuku scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Wailuku
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wailuku is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Honolulu.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wailuku | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,100 | +5% |
| Groceries | $520 | $520 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $280 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,270 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 170 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Honolulu offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Honolulu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $62,000 in Wailuku.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wailuku |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 37,647 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $86,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wailuku comes out ahead with 86 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wailuku |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | 75.50°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 84.60°F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | 65.70°F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | 8.00 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 330 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wailuku has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Honolulu.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Honolulu | Wailuku |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 41.9x the population of Wailuku.
From a growth perspective, Wailuku 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 | Wailuku |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 8,200 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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