City Comparison
Waipahu vs Kapolei
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kapolei scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waipahu
Kapolei
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waipahu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Kapolei.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waipahu's average rent is
36% lower than Kapolei's.
| Metric | Waipahu | Kapolei | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $3,420 | -36% |
| Groceries | $500 | $459 | +9% |
| Utilities | $250 | $396 | -37% |
| Transport | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $759 | -63% |
| Monthly Total | $3,380 | $5,234 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 151 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waipahu offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waipahu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waipahu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $85,000 in Kapolei.
| Metric | Waipahu | Kapolei |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $46,510 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,571 idx | 30,801 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $128,324 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waipahu runs warmer on average — a 78°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waipahu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waipahu | Kapolei |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Waipahu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waipahu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waipahu | Kapolei |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waipahu is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Kapolei.
From a growth perspective, Kapolei is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kapolei has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waipahu | Kapolei |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,626 | 24,844 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.49% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Kapolei
Advantages
Kapolei is experiencing rapid development and expanding infrastructure, offering urban amenities without the intense hustle of Honolulu.
The city provides a family-friendly environment with excellent schools, parks, and community centers.
Residents have abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including access to pristine beaches and hiking trails.
Kapolei offers diverse employment opportunities across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and hospitality.
The overall crime rate in Kapolei is 26% below the national average, contributing to a sense of safety.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Kapolei is 51% higher than the national average, primarily driven by high housing, utility, and grocery costs.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, particularly during commute hours, impacting travel times.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city is largely car-dependent.
Healthcare access can be a challenge, despite good quality, with Hawaii ranking 39th nationally for access in 2025.
Utility costs, including electricity and internet, are among the highest in the nation due to Hawaii's reliance on imported fuel.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Kapolei
#433Hawaii, USA
56.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,420
Avg Salary
$46,510
Cost Index
151
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.49%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
68
Business
70
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