City Comparison
Wahiawa 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
Wahiawa
Royal Kunia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Royal Kunia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Wahiawa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wahiawa's average rent is
18% lower than Royal Kunia's.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Royal Kunia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,572 | -18% |
| Groceries | $500 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,300 | $2,572 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wahiawa offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $135,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wahiawa runs warmer on average — a 71.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wahiawa comes out ahead with 193 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wahiawa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 193 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Wahiawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wahiawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wahiawa is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Royal Kunia.
From a growth perspective, Wahiawa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wahiawa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wahiawa | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,800 | 13,494 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wahiawa
Advantages
Proximity to Schofield Barracks provides a robust local economy and stable employment for defense contractors and civil servants.
Housing options are generally more affordable in Wahiawa compared to coastal Honolulu and nearby resort towns.
Central Oahu location offers convenient access to both the North Shore and Honolulu via major highways.
Rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary scene reflecting authentic local Hawaiian and Asian traditions.
Surrounded by natural attractions like the Wahiawa Botanical Garden and Lake Wilson recreation areas.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive utility rates consistent with the broader Hawaiian islands.
Traffic congestion along Kamehameha Highway during peak commuting hours heading toward Honolulu.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to downtown Honolulu or Waikiki.
Older housing stock in some neighborhoods may require significant maintenance and updates.
Property crime rates, particularly vehicle break-ins, require residents to maintain heightened security awareness.
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.
Wahiawa
#557Hawaii, USA
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
193/yr
Avg Temp
71.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
72
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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