City Comparison
Honolulu vs Waipahu
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Waipahu
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Honolulu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Waipahu.
| Metric | Honolulu | Waipahu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,200 | 0% |
| Groceries | $520 | $500 | +4% |
| Utilities | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $280 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,380 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 175 | 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 $75,000 in Waipahu.
| Metric | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 36,571 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $88,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 34 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | 78.00°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 87.30°F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | 68.30°F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | 18.90 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 278 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Honolulu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Waipahu.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| 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 8.9x the population of Waipahu.
From a growth perspective, Waipahu 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 | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 38,626 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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