Let the numbers do the talking.
Wahiawa, HI vs Waipahu, HI
Wahiawa, HI vs Waipahu, HI: What the data shows
Wahiawa, HI is in Wahiawa, HI while Waipahu, HI is in Waipahu, HI — both in the same state. On home prices, Wahiawa, HI is the more affordable option at $658,000 median — $114,400 less than Waipahu, HI's $772,400. WYLT rates Wahiawa, HI as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing — and Waipahu, HI as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing.
Both neighborhoods have similar safety profiles. Wahiawa, HI has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. Waipahu, HI has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. On environmental risk, Wahiawa, HI has Low flood risk and Waipahu, HI has Low flood risk.
Waipahu, HI is the more walkable neighborhood. Wahiawa, HI scores N/A/100 versus Waipahu, HI's 11/100 (car-dependent). For families weighing school quality, Waipahu, HI has the higher school rating — Wahiawa, HI rates 8.1/10 and Waipahu, HI rates 8.2/10.
| Category | Wahiawa, HI | Waipahu, HI |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Verdict | Think twice | Think twice |
| Median Price | $658K ✓ Lower price | $772K |
| Median Rent | $3K | $2K ✓ Lower rent |
| Median Income | $77K | $105K ✓ Higher income |
| Price Volatility | Moderate | Moderate |
| Getting Around | ||
| Walk Score | Car-dependent | 11/100 ✓ More walkable |
| Transit Score | Minimal transit | 24/100 ✓ Better transit |
| Bike Score | N/A | N/A |
| Commute | N/A | 45 min |
| Safety & Environment | ||
| Safety Grade | D+ | D+ |
| Violent Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Property Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Flood Risk | Low | Low |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
| Community | ||
| Schools | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 ✓ Better schools |
| Best for | suburban familiesmilitary familiesfirst‑time home buyers | Families with childrenPeople seeking a strong school districtResidents who plan to drive to work |
Bottom line
Both Wahiawa and Waipahu offer similar strengths and weaknesses, with decent schools and low flood risk, but high costs and low walkability. If you prioritize a slightly more pedestrian-friendly environment and don't mind a longer commute, Waipahu might be the slightly more tolerable of the two, but neither offers a particularly compelling value proposition. If you're set on living in a car-dependent suburb with a strong school district, one might as well be chosen over the other, but neither is a clear winner.
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