City Comparison
Lahaina vs Mililani Town
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mililani Town scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
Mililani Town
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mililani Town is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Lahaina.
| Metric | Lahaina | Mililani Town | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,400 | +8% |
| Groceries | $550 | $550 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $280 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $3,600 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 155 | 175 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mililani Town offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mililani Town delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lahaina is estimated at
$70,000 vs $72,000 in Mililani Town.
| Metric | Lahaina | Mililani Town |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 44,571 idx |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Mililani Town comes out ahead with 73 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Lahaina | Mililani Town |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | 74.90°F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | 63.50°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
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Mililani Town.
Mililani Town 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 | Mililani Town |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mililani Town is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Mililani Town is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mililani Town has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | Mililani Town |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 28,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.50% |
| 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
Mililani Town
Advantages
Master-planned community design featuring numerous parks, recreation centers, and community pools.
Consistently lower crime rates compared to major urban centers on Oahu.
Convenient central location with direct access to the H-2 Freeway for commuting.
Strong local public and private school options serving families.
Active community associations that maintain high neighborhood aesthetic and safety standards.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. mainland average.
Heavy traffic congestion on the H-2 Freeway during peak morning and afternoon commute hours.
Mandatory association fees and strict neighborhood bylaws governing property appearance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within the town limits.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to moderate public transit walkability.
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
Mililani Town
#490Hawaii, USA
53.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
74.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
81
Business
68
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