Best Cities for Families in Hawaii
Hawaii for Families: The Full Picture
Hawaii lands in the middle of the pack for families at #24 out of 50 states. The state has genuine strengths β economy scores excellent at 90/100 β but also areas that may give parents pause. The 86% high school graduation rate leaves room for improvement, and the median home price of $743,000 may stretch family budgets.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Hawaii shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 86%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. At $13,944 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Hawaii performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the national average at 272 incidents per 100,000 residents. The higher cost of living (index: 109) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # | City | Grade | Families Score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | B+ | 57.8 | 57.4 | 68 | 77 | 30 | 341,753 |
| 2 | East Honolulu | A+ | 57.5 | 65.5 | 65 | 70 | 15 | 50,961 |
| 3 | Kahului | B+ | 57.3 | 58.8 | 66 | 70 | 34 | 27,068 |
| 4 | Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) | B | 57.3 | 56.0 | 65 | 70 | 32 | 21,851 |
| 5 | Hilo | B | 57.1 | 54.0 | 70 | 70 | 42 | 48,223 |
| 6 | Wailuku | B+ | 56.9 | 59.3 | 65 | 70 | 33 | 15,754 |
| 7 | Schofield Barracks | B | 56.1 | 55.4 | 65 | 70 | 35 | 16,755 |
| 8 | Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | A | 55.6 | 60.8 | 65 | 70 | 15 | 39,762 |
| 9 | Mililani Mauka | B+ | 55.5 | 59.9 | 65 | 70 | 20 | 21,967 |
| 10 | Pearl City | B+ | 55.5 | 57.8 | 68 | 70 | 21 | 45,079 |
| 11 | Waipahu | B | 55.4 | 55.0 | 69 | 70 | 28 | 39,871 |
| 12 | Mililani Town | B+ | 55.3 | 58.8 | 65 | 70 | 21 | 27,495 |
| 13 | Kaneohe | B+ | 55.3 | 57.5 | 72 | 70 | 20 | 35,945 |
| 14 | Kapolei | B+ | 54.8 | 57.0 | 69 | 70 | 24 | 23,033 |
| 15 | Ewa Beach | B+ | 54.6 | 57.2 | 67 | 70 | 24 | 15,388 |
| 16 | Ewa Gentry | B+ | 54.4 | 57.9 | 65 | 70 | 23 | 26,738 |
| 17 | Kihei | B | 54.4 | 54.0 | 71 | 70 | 23 | 22,564 |
| 18 | Wahiawa | C+ | 54.4 | 51.8 | 70 | 70 | 33 | 17,515 |
| 19 | Ocean Pointe | B+ | 53.8 | 58.5 | 65 | 70 | 15 | 16,276 |
| 20 | Makakilo | B | 53.8 | 56.0 | 65 | 70 | 23 | 20,372 |