City Comparison
Waipahu vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waipahu
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Waipahu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waipahu's average rent is
57% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Waipahu | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,400 | +57% |
| Groceries | $500 | $400 | +25% |
| Utilities | $250 | $236 | +6% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,380 | $2,406 | +40% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waipahu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Waipahu | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,571 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waipahu runs warmer on average — a 78°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waipahu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waipahu | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Waipahu.
Waipahu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waipahu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waipahu | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waipahu is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waipahu | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,626 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.40% |
| 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.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
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
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Waipahu and Aiken.
Open Cost Calculator