City Comparison
Waipahu vs Schofield Barracks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schofield Barracks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waipahu
Schofield Barracks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Schofield Barracks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Waipahu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waipahu's average rent is
10% higher than Schofield Barracks's.
| Metric | Waipahu | Schofield Barracks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,000 | +10% |
| Groceries | $500 | $480 | +4% |
| Utilities | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Transport | $150 | $140 | +7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $220 | +27% |
| Monthly Total | $3,380 | $3,060 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schofield Barracks offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schofield Barracks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waipahu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $60,000 in Schofield Barracks.
| Metric | Waipahu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,571 idx | 54,400 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $80,388 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waipahu runs warmer on average — a 6.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waipahu comes out ahead with 85 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Waipahu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | 71.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 68.30°F | 61.00°F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | 30.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | 193 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schofield Barracks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Waipahu.
Waipahu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schofield Barracks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waipahu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waipahu is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Schofield Barracks.
From a growth perspective, Waipahu is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waipahu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waipahu | Schofield Barracks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,626 | 16,270 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.18% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 22.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Schofield Barracks
Advantages
Median household income in the surrounding area ($80,388) provides a stable economic baseline supported by federal employment.
Exceptionally secure environment with controlled base access points and low internal crime rates.
Abundant recreational amenities including fitness centers, pools, and close proximity to Oahu's North Shore beaches.
High rates of health insurance coverage with premier military and regional medical facilities nearby.
Strong community support networks, military family programs, and diverse cultural integration.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by island logistics, imported goods, and elevated utility rates.
Competitive housing market with high rental and property purchase costs across central Oahu.
Traffic congestion on primary arterial highways during peak commuting hours toward Honolulu.
Transience of the population due to military permanent change of station (PCS) rotations.
Steep electricity expenses impacting monthly household utility budgets.
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
Schofield Barracks
#451Hawaii, USA
55.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
193/yr
Avg Temp
71.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
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