Waipahu 77 Exceptional
Waipahu Livability #9 ranked city in Hawaii#3,129 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Waipahu

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Waipahu?

Waipahu is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Hawaii. The city has a population of 39,064 people. In Waipahu, there are 14,743 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Waipahu represents a small percentage of cities in America where predominant race identifies as Asian. The other two most predominant groups are Native Hawaiian and White. An important consideration when living in Waipahu is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 36 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Waipahu is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Hawaii, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Waipahu and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 75 out of 100, Waipahu is ranked #3,406 in the United States and #10 in Hawaii. Compared to the national average, Waipahu ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Waipahu has higher than average grades for the following: employment (A+). On a more negative note, Waipahu does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (D) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Waipahu has an unemployment rate of 2.6% 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Waipahu. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Waipahu are affordable. The median home price for Waipahu homes is $1,197,324, which is 24.5% higher than the Hawaii average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Waipahu, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 10.4, which is 18.2% higher than the Hawaii average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Waipahu

See all the best places to live around Waipahu

How Do You Rate The Livability In Waipahu?

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Compare Waipahu, HI Livability

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      Waipahu transportation information

      Statistic Waipahu Hawaii National
      Average one way commute36min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work59.3%66.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.4%14.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit16.3%6.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%4.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.9%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Waipahu, 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.