Best Cities for Young Professionals in Hawaii
Hawaii ranks #25 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 53.7. Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) is its best city for young professionals at 65.4.
- Hawaii, all states
- #25 of 50
- Population
- 39,640
Hawaii for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Hawaii ranks #25 out of 50 for young professionals, landing in the middle of the pack. The state's economy scores 86/100, reflecting a strong job market with 2.4% unemployment and a median household income of $100,745. Population decline of -0.15% may signal shrinking opportunity, though it can also mean less competition for roles.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. A cost-of-living index of 110 means higher expenses, so salary negotiations need to account for the premium. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Hawaii's livability score of 35/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 54/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | A+ | 65.4 | 68.0 | 99 | — | 63 | 39,640 |
| 2East Honolulu | A+ | 64.8 | 68.5 | 100 | — | 52 | 51,360 |
| 3Mililani Mauka | A+ | 64.6 | 67.8 | 90 | — | 69 | 21,278 |
| 4Ocean Pointe | A | 62.3 | 66.4 | 100 | — | 60 | 17,085 |
| 5Ewa Gentry | A | 60.9 | 64.4 | 88 | — | 64 | 26,563 |
| 6Kapolei | A | 60.4 | 63.3 | 81 | — | 65 | 22,232 |
| 7Mililani Town | A | 59.8 | 63.1 | 80 | — | 66 | 27,668 |
| 8Kaneohe | B+ | 58.5 | 62.4 | 79 | — | 61 | 37,355 |
| 9Ewa Beach | B+ | 57.5 | 62.0 | 78 | — | 60 | 14,376 |
| 10Honolulu | B+ | 56.8 | 59.7 | 68 | 45 | 66 | 345,482 |
| 11Pearl City | B+ | 56.7 | 61.3 | 72 | — | 57 | 44,547 |
| 12Waipahu | B | 55.0 | 58.6 | 60 | — | 66 | 40,482 |
| 13Makakilo | C+ | 52.3 | 55.7 | 73 | — | 43 | 20,735 |
| 14Wailuku | B | 51.4 | 57.0 | 59 | — | 40 | 16,926 |
| 15Schofield Barracks | C | 49.4 | 52.2 | 40 | — | 49 | 16,270 |
| 16Kahului | C+ | 48.8 | 55.1 | 55 | — | 32 | 28,288 |
| 17Wahiawa | C | 47.3 | 51.7 | 45 | — | 64 | 17,996 |
| 18Kailua CDP (Hawaii County) | D | 47.1 | 48.9 | 46 | — | 32 | 21,818 |
| 19Hilo | C | 46.6 | 51.9 | 41 | — | 28 | 50,404 |
| 20Kihei | C+ | 45.9 | 53.3 | 46 | — | 38 | 21,567 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Hawaii for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii a good state for young professionals?
Hawaii ranks #25 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 53.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (89/100) and its weakest is Affordability (4/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Hawaii?
Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) ranks #1 in Hawaii for young professionals with a score of 65.4/100, followed by East Honolulu and Mililani Mauka.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Hawaii?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.