City Comparison
Lahaina vs Royal Kunia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Royal Kunia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
Royal Kunia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Royal Kunia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Lahaina.
| Metric | Lahaina | Royal Kunia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,572 | +1% |
| Groceries | $550 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $2,572 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 155 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lahaina offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Lahaina | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $135,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lahaina runs warmer on average — a 77.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lahaina comes out ahead with 173 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lahaina sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lahaina | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 173 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lahaina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Royal Kunia.
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 | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Royal Kunia is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Lahaina is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Royal Kunia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 13,494 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 42.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.70% |
| 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
Royal Kunia
Advantages
Royal Kunia has a strong safety profile, with crime rates 23% lower than the national average.
The median household income in Royal Kunia is $135,361, significantly exceeding the national median.
The community is family-friendly, offering convenient access to schools, parks, and shopping.
The average commute time of 30.5 minutes is shorter than the commute for most Americans.
The elevated location provides cooler temperatures and trade wind exposure.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Royal Kunia is 11% higher than the Hawaii average.
The average rental price of $4,515 is higher than 83.1% of neighborhoods in Hawaii.
Royal Kunia is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options.
Year-over-year crime in Royal Kunia has increased by 17%.
The population is currently declining at a rate of -0.47% annually.
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
Royal Kunia
#54Hawaii, USA
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,572
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
1.0/100
Walkability
1.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
64
Business
68
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