Makawao 71 Excellent
Makawao Livability #23 ranked city in Hawaii#7,207 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Makawao

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in Makawao?

Makawao is a smaller city located in the state of Hawaii. The city has a population of 8,162 inhabitants. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Makawao, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Makawao, Hawaii could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Makawao and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 70 out of 100, Makawao is ranked #7,324 in the United States and #23 in Hawaii. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Makawao ranks well for crime (B-). Makawao does not fare well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Makawao has an unemployment rate of 1.6% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Makawao real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Makawao. Median real estate prices in Makawao come in at $1,154,543, which is 20% higher than the Hawaii average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Makawao, the home price to income ratio is 8.5, which is 3.4% lower than the Hawaii average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Makawao

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Makawao?

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Compare Makawao, HI Livability

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      Makawao transportation information

      Statistic Makawao Hawaii National
      Average one way commute26min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.1%66.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.5%14.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%6.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%4.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.8%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Makawao, HI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.