City Comparison
Lahaina vs Makakilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Makakilo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
Makakilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Makakilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Lahaina.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lahaina's average rent is
18% higher than Makakilo's.
| Metric | Lahaina | Makakilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,200 | +18% |
| Groceries | $550 | $500 | +10% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $280 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $3,350 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 155 | 165 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Makakilo offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Makakilo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lahaina is estimated at
$70,000 vs $65,000 in Makakilo.
| Metric | Lahaina | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 47,273 idx |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Makakilo comes out ahead with 73 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Lahaina | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | 63.70°F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | 24.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 173 | 246 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lahaina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Makakilo.
Lahaina 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 | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 68.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Makakilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Makakilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Makakilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | Makakilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 22,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 38.5 |
| 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
Makakilo
Advantages
Sweeping panoramic ocean and mountain views across the Leeward coast
Significantly cooler evening temperatures compared to sea-level Honolulu
Family-friendly residential vibe with low violent crime rates
Proximity to the expanding commercial and retail hub of Kapolei
Strong median household income levels compared to the national average
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices than mainland averages
Heavy car dependency due to steep hillside terrain and limited public transit
Severe peak-hour traffic congestion along the H-1 freeway commute corridor
Limited walkability for daily errands within the residential subdivisions
High electricity and utility costs typical of island living in Hawaii
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
Makakilo
#430Hawaii, USA
56.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lahaina and Makakilo.
Open Cost Calculator