City Comparison
Wailuku 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
Wailuku
Royal Kunia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Royal Kunia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Wailuku.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wailuku's average rent is
18% lower than Royal Kunia's.
| Metric | Wailuku | Royal Kunia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,572 | -18% |
| Groceries | $520 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,270 | $2,572 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 170 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wailuku offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Wailuku | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $135,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wailuku runs warmer on average — a 75.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wailuku comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wailuku sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wailuku | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wailuku has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Royal Kunia.
Wailuku scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wailuku leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wailuku | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Royal Kunia is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Wailuku.
From a growth perspective, Wailuku is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wailuku has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wailuku | Royal Kunia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,200 | 13,494 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wailuku
Advantages
Median home price appreciation has stabilized after recent peaks per Hawaii Association of Realtors data.
Serves as the administrative and government hub of Maui County with stable public sector jobs.
Immediate proximity to the scenic and historically significant Iao Valley State Monument.
Vibrant historic downtown featuring local artisan shops, cafes, and the historic ʻĪao Theater.
More authentic local community feel compared to tourist-heavy resort districts on the island.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the U.S. national average.
Limited housing inventory drives up both rental rates and purchase prices.
Island logistics and high shipping costs inflate everyday grocery and utility expenses.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours connecting to neighboring Kahului.
Vulnerability to tropical weather events and high humidity during summer months.
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.
Wailuku
#526Hawaii, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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