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Is Wailuku a Good Place to Live? Wailuku, Hawaii: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Wailuku ranks #578 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #97 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Hawaii. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.6%, #29 of 234) and high household income ($102,942, #38 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($855,700, #226 of 231) and high living costs (109.4, #222 of 230).
Wailuku by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Wailuku's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Wailuku: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Wailuku safe?
What is the cost of living in Wailuku?
Wailuku's cost of living index is 109.4, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1099 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,762/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $910,856, 9% above the typical Hawaii home ($833,340).
| Measure | Wailuku | HawaiiHI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 109.4#1099 of 1,308 | 110 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $910,856#1098 of 1,187 | $833,340 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $3,194/mo#1055 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $855,700#1213 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,762/mo#931 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 8.3x#1226 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 20.5%#514 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Hawaii is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Wailuku housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Wailuku is in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI metro.
Hawaii housing market →Is Wailuku safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Wailuku alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Wailuku crime rate or rank it on safety. Hawaii as a whole records 205 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Wailuku?
The median household in Wailuku earns $102,942, 24% above the US figure of $83,163 and 2% above Hawaii ($100,745). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wailuku | HawaiiHI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $102,942#301 of 1,312 | $100,745 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 4.6%#83 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Hawaii is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Wailuku?
The median resident of Wailuku is 43.8 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 36.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #579 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 70.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Wailuku | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 43.8 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 36.1%#579 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 70.6% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Wailuku's schools and health?
Wailuku's 4 public schools graduate 86% of students in four years (Hawaii 86%), with 17 students per teacher and $20,056 spent per pupil. 25.3% of adults are obese and 11.5% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Wailuku | HawaiiHI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 86%#647 of 1,063 | 86% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 17#734 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $20,056#194 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 25.3%#152 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 11.5%#702 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 14.6%#213 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 6%#145 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Hawaii is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 3,573 students are enrolled in Wailuku's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Wailuku?
The average commute in Wailuku is 19.1 minutes (Hawaii 26.7); 0% of workers take transit and 7.7% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Wailuku scores 8.6 of 20 (below average walkable), #912 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 80.3°F and winters 73.5°F, with 16.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Wailuku | HawaiiHI | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 19.1 min#272 of 1,312 | 26.7 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 3.5%#290 of 1,312 | 8.5% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 77% | 65.1% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 4.3% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.9% | 4.4% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0.3% | 0.9% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 7.7% | 8.9% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 8.6#912 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Hawaii is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82.2 | 63.6 | 2.4 |
| Feb | 82.2 | 63.8 | 2 |
| Mar | 82.9 | 65.1 | 2.6 |
| Apr | 84.5 | 66.6 | 1.3 |
| May | 86.5 | 67.7 | 0.7 |
| Jun | 88.3 | 70.3 | 0.2 |
| Jul | 89.2 | 71.8 | 0.5 |
| Aug | 89.9 | 72.3 | 0.5 |
| Sep | 90 | 71.2 | 0.5 |
| Oct | 88.7 | 70.1 | 0.8 |
| Nov | 85.8 | 68.4 | 1.8 |
| Dec | 83.3 | 65.9 | 2.8 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Kahului Airport.
| Measure | Wailuku | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 77.1°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 80.3°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 73.5°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 16.2 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Kahului Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Wailuku?
Maui County's air had a median air quality index of 21, and 98% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Maui County's biggest natural hazard losses in volcanic activity, tsunami, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.38% of building value, higher than 93% of US counties.
| Measure | Wailuku | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 21#29 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.38%#1166 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Maui County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Maui County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanic activity | 0.0063% | 98% of counties |
| Tsunami | 0.091% | 95% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.062% | 93% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.17% | 93% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.01% | 85% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0014% | 54% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Wailuku compare with similar-size cities?
Wailuku is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #97 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 16,926.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wailuku, HIPop. 16,926 | #578 | 57.0 | $102,942 | $1,762/mo | no data | 19.1 min |
| Spanish Springs, NVPop. 17,980 | #438 | 59.3 | $127,658 | $1,963/mo | no data | 33 min |
| Sunland Park, NMPop. 17,463 | #1058 | 48.8 | $62,814 | $920/mo | 280 | 31.9 min |
| Laconia, NHPop. 17,085 | #404 | 60.0 | $73,218 | $1,224/mo | 184 | 17 min |
| Waterville, MEPop. 17,077 | #522 | 57.8 | $53,580 | $978/mo | 91 | 18 min |
| Beckley, WVPop. 16,818 | #1308 | 34.1 | $45,826 | $869/mo | 716 | 16.5 min |
| La Vista, NEPop. 16,563 | #382 | 60.4 | $81,961 | $1,317/mo | 67 | 20.2 min |
| Mountain Home, IDPop. 16,493 | #1093 | 48.0 | $63,125 | $1,155/mo | 193 | 23 min |
| Jamestown, NDPop. 15,787 | #813 | 53.2 | $56,554 | $773/mo | 133 | 10.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Wailuku compare with the rest of Hawaii?
Wailuku ranks #13 of the 20 Hawaii cities we track, with a score of 57 against Hawaii's statewide 64.8. Its households earn 2% above the Hawaii median. Homes are 9% above the typical Hawaii home.
| City | Rank in HI | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Honolulu, HIPop. 51,360 | #1 | 68.5 | $159,518 | $3,313/mo | no data |
| Kailua (Honolulu County), HIPop. 39,640 | #2 | 68.0 | $148,582 | $3,093/mo | no data |
| Mililani Mauka, HIPop. 21,278 | #3 | 67.8 | $138,942 | $2,350/mo | no data |
| Ocean Pointe, HIPop. 17,085 | #4 | 66.4 | $149,767 | $3,424/mo | no data |
| Ewa Gentry, HIPop. 26,563 | #5 | 64.4 | $135,684 | $2,580/mo | no data |
| Kapolei, HIPop. 22,232 | #6 | 63.3 | $128,324 | $2,311/mo | no data |
| Mililani Town, HIPop. 27,668 | #7 | 63.1 | $127,363 | $2,384/mo | no data |
| Kaneohe, HIPop. 37,355 | #8 | 62.4 | $125,613 | $2,269/mo | no data |
| Ewa Beach, HIPop. 14,376 | #9 | 62.0 | $124,323 | $2,522/mo | no data |
| Pearl City, HIPop. 44,547 | #10 | 61.3 | $118,112 | $2,316/mo | no data |
| Honolulu, HIPop. 345,482 | #11 | 59.7 | $86,504 | $1,823/mo | county/metro |
| Waipahu, HIPop. 40,482 | #12 | 58.6 | $103,895 | $1,658/mo | no data |
| Wailuku, HIPop. 16,926 | #13 | 57.0 | $102,942 | $1,762/mo | no data |
| Makakilo, HIPop. 20,735 | #14 | 55.7 | $118,550 | $2,276/mo | no data |
| Kahului, HIPop. 28,288 | #15 | 55.1 | $98,077 | $1,488/mo | no data |
| Kihei, HIPop. 21,567 | #16 | 53.3 | $87,772 | $2,045/mo | no data |
| Schofield Barracks, HIPop. 16,270 | #17 | 52.2 | $80,388 | $3,230/mo | no data |
| Hilo, HIPop. 50,404 | #18 | 51.9 | $81,779 | $1,427/mo | no data |
| Wahiawa, HIPop. 17,996 | #19 | 51.7 | $87,143 | $1,546/mo | no data |
| Kailua (Hawaii County), HIPop. 21,818 | #20 | 48.9 | $88,211 | $1,754/mo | no data |
All 20 Hawaii cities we track, by overall score. Hawaii statewide: median income $100,745, violent crime 205.1 per 100,000.
How is Wailuku's score calculated?
Wailuku scores 57 out of 100, #578 of 1,312 (grade B, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Hawaii's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Wailuku. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
59.1 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Wailuku. Similar-size median 56.5.
70.7 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Wailuku's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
63.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Wailuku's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
34.6 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Wailuku. Similar-size median 50.8.
76.6 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Wailuku. Similar-size median 48.3.
46.3 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Wailuku's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
40.0 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
52.7 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Wailuku alone.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Wailuku.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Wailuku's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Wailuku has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Wailuku
Is Wailuku, HI a good place to live?
Wailuku ranks #578 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #97 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Hawaii. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.6%, #29 of 234) and high household income ($102,942, #38 of 234), and trails on expensive homes ($855,700, #226 of 231) and high living costs (109.4, #222 of 230).
What is the cost of living in Wailuku?
Wailuku's cost of living index is 109.4, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1099 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,762/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $910,856, 9% above the typical Hawaii home ($833,340).
Is Wailuku safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Wailuku alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Wailuku crime rate or rank it on safety. Hawaii as a whole records 205 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Wailuku?
The median household in Wailuku earns $102,942, 24% above the US figure of $83,163 and 2% above Hawaii ($100,745). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Wailuku?
Median rent in Wailuku is $1,762/mo (Census), #931 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $3,194/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 20.5% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Wailuku?
The typical home value in Wailuku is $910,856, down 2% in a year, against $833,340 for Hawaii and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $855,700.
How are the public schools in Wailuku?
Wailuku's 4 public schools graduate 86% of students in four years (Hawaii 86%), with 17 students per teacher and $20,056 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Wailuku?
The average commute is 19.1 minutes, #272 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.7 minutes across Hawaii. 3.5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Wailuku?
Wailuku averages 77.1°F over the year, 80.3°F in summer and 73.5°F in winter, with 16.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Wailuku walkable?
Wailuku scores 8.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #912 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Wailuku at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Maui County's biggest natural hazard losses in volcanic activity, tsunami, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.38% of building value, higher than 93% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Wailuku?
Maui County's air had a median air quality index of 21, and 98% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Wailuku?
Wailuku has 16,926 residents. The median resident of Wailuku is 43.8 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 36.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #579 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 70.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Wailuku compare with the rest of Hawaii?
Wailuku ranks #13 of the 20 Hawaii cities we track, with a score of 57 against Hawaii's statewide 64.8. Its households earn 2% above the Hawaii median. Homes are 9% above the typical Hawaii home.
What cities are similar in size to Wailuku?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Wailuku's population of 16,926 are Spanish Springs, NV (#438 overall), Sunland Park, NM (#1058 overall), Laconia, NH (#404 overall), Waterville, ME (#522 overall), and Beckley, WV (#1308 overall). Wailuku is #578.