City Comparison
Waipahu vs Lahaina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lahaina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waipahu
Lahaina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waipahu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Lahaina.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waipahu's average rent is
15% lower than Lahaina's.
| Metric | Waipahu | Lahaina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,600 | -15% |
| Groceries | $500 | $550 | -9% |
| Utilities | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $300 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,380 | $3,820 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 155 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waipahu offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lahaina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waipahu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $70,000 in Lahaina.
| Metric | Waipahu | Lahaina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,571 idx | 40,000 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $84,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 105 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Waipahu | Lahaina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | 77.20°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 85.40°F |
| Winter Low | 68.30°F | 69.70°F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | 38.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | 173 |
| 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 Waipahu.
Waipahu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Waipahu | Lahaina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waipahu is the larger city
— approximately 4.1x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Waipahu is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waipahu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waipahu | Lahaina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,626 | 9,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waipahu
Advantages
Rich cultural heritage and diverse community with exceptional local dining and markets.
Strategic central Oʻahu location with growing access to the Skyline rail transit system.
Consistently warm tropical climate with year-round outdoor recreational opportunities.
Strong community identity and active neighborhood civic organizations.
Proximity to major employment centers in Central and urban Honolulu.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. mainland.
Heavy traffic congestion on the H-1 Freeway and local highways during peak hours.
Limited new housing inventory driving up purchase and rental prices.
High electricity and utility rates across the island.
Vulnerability to tropical weather events and climate-related infrastructure pressures.
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
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Waipahu
#572Hawaii, USA
46.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
78.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Waipahu and Lahaina.
Open Cost Calculator