City Comparison
Makakilo 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
Makakilo
Royal Kunia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Royal Kunia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Makakilo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Makakilo's average rent is
14% lower than Royal Kunia's.
| Metric | Makakilo | Royal Kunia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,572 | -14% |
| Groceries | $500 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,572 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 165 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Makakilo offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Makakilo | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $135,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Makakilo runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Makakilo comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Makakilo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Makakilo | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Royal Kunia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Makakilo.
Makakilo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Makakilo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Makakilo | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Makakilo is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Royal Kunia.
From a growth perspective, Makakilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Makakilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Makakilo | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,500 | 13,494 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 42.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Makakilo
Advantages
Sweeping panoramic ocean and mountain views across the Leeward coast
Significantly cooler evening temperatures compared to sea-level Honolulu
Family-friendly residential vibe with low violent crime rates
Proximity to the expanding commercial and retail hub of Kapolei
Strong median household income levels compared to the national average
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices than mainland averages
Heavy car dependency due to steep hillside terrain and limited public transit
Severe peak-hour traffic congestion along the H-1 freeway commute corridor
Limited walkability for daily errands within the residential subdivisions
High electricity and utility costs typical of island living in Hawaii
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.
Makakilo
#430Hawaii, USA
56.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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