City Comparison
Lahaina vs East Honolulu
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
East Honolulu
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lahaina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in East Honolulu.
| Metric | Lahaina | East Honolulu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,650 | -2% |
| Groceries | $550 | $600 | -8% |
| Utilities | $220 | $280 | -21% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $320 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $4,000 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 155 | 185 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
East Honolulu offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, East Honolulu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lahaina is estimated at
$70,000 vs $85,000 in East Honolulu.
| Metric | Lahaina | East Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 42,162 idx |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $118,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lahaina comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Lahaina | East Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | 76.90°F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | 70.20°F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | 33.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 173 | 162 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lahaina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to East Honolulu.
East Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lahaina leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lahaina | East Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 68.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
East Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Lahaina is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, East Honolulu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | East Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 49,914 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 47.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lahaina
Advantages
Stunning coastal setting with direct access to world-class beaches, snorkeling, and marine life
Rich historical and cultural significance as the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom
Warm, tropical climate year-round with steady trade winds and high sunshine totals
Strong, close-knit community fabric characterized by remarkable resilience and mutual support
Vibrant local dining, art, and music scene celebrating authentic Hawaiian traditions
Drawbacks
Severe housing shortages and elevated rental costs resulting from the 2023 wildfire recovery
Significantly higher overall cost of living compared to the U.S. mainland due to island logistics
Heavy reliance on a single highway artery (Honoapiilani Highway) leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks
Limited local hospital infrastructure, requiring travel to central Maui for major medical needs
Vulnerability to natural hazards and extreme weather events inherent to island geography
East Honolulu
Advantages
Extremely low violent crime rates make East Honolulu one of the safest communities in the state.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions like Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater Regional Park.
Highly rated public school district options compared to other parts of Oahu.
Stunning coastal and valley views with a strong neighborhood sense of community.
Abundant outdoor water sports and recreation directly integrated into daily life.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices than the U.S. national average.
Heavy reliance on Kalanianaole Highway leads to severe daily commuter traffic bottlenecks.
High cost of imported goods, groceries, and electricity.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within the East Honolulu area proper.
Vulnerability to natural hazards such as coastal erosion and tropical storms.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Lahaina
#566Hawaii, USA
47.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
155
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
173/yr
Avg Temp
77.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
62
East Honolulu
#453Hawaii, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
185
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
162/yr
Avg Temp
76.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
65
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