City Comparison
Lahaina vs Pearl City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pearl City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
Pearl City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pearl City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Lahaina.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lahaina's average rent is
11% higher than Pearl City's.
| Metric | Lahaina | Pearl City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,350 | +11% |
| Groceries | $550 | $520 | +6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $310 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $3,550 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 155 | 170 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pearl City offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pearl City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lahaina is estimated at
$70,000 vs $68,000 in Pearl City.
| Metric | Lahaina | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 42,353 idx |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $92,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pearl City comes out ahead with 55 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Lahaina | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | 76.20°F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | 66.10°F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | 25.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 173 | 228 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lahaina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Pearl City.
Pearl City 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 | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pearl City is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Pearl City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pearl City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 45,105 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.80% |
| 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
Pearl City
Advantages
Median home prices on Oahu have shown stabilization relative to mainland surges per recent real estate indexes.
Proximity to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam provides a robust employment base for military and civil service personnel.
Central Oahu location offers convenient highway access to downtown Honolulu and pristine windward beaches.
Neighborhoods feature low violent crime rates and strong community watch engagement.
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including nearby hiking trails and coastal parks.
Drawbacks
Cost of living index is significantly higher than the U.S. national average due to shipping and housing costs.
Heavy peak-hour traffic congestion along the H-1 freeway during morning and evening commutes.
High electricity and utility rates compared to the U.S. mainland.
Limited inventory of affordable single-family housing options.
High dependency on imported goods leading to elevated grocery and everyday item prices.
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
Pearl City
#527Hawaii, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
228/yr
Avg Temp
76.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
76
Business
68
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