Performance
Score Breakdown
Royal Kunia
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Royal Kunia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% lower compared to Hilo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Royal Kunia's average rent is
75% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Royal Kunia | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,572 | $1,466 | +75% |
| Groceries | $0 | $600 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $475 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,572 | $2,891 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hilo offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Royal Kunia | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $98,000 |
| Household Income | $135,361 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Royal Kunia | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Royal Kunia.
Hilo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hilo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Royal Kunia | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 1.0/10 | 23.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Royal Kunia.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Royal Kunia | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,494 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Hilo
Advantages
Hilo boasts a lush, tropical environment with abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The city is a cultural hub, hosting significant events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
The job market in Hilo saw a healthy employment growth rate of 4.88% from 2023 to 2024.
Healthcare and Educational Services are strong and growing industries, offering stable employment opportunities.
The homeownership rate in Hilo is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Hilo is significantly higher than the national average, particularly for housing, utilities, and groceries.
Hilo has a high property crime rate, which is 41% higher than the national average, making residents more susceptible to theft.
Public transportation is minimal and unreliable, making the city largely car-dependent for daily errands and commutes.
Utility costs, especially for electricity, are exceptionally high due to reliance on imported fuel.
The average rent for apartments, particularly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, is considerably higher than many mainland cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Royal Kunia
#23Hawaii, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,572
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
1.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
64
Business
68
Hilo
#69Hawaii, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,466
Avg Salary
$41,708
Cost Index
146
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
23.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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