Is Aiea Safe, Pros and cons of living in Aiea

Aiea, Hawaii, offers a unique blend of suburban convenience and island charm, situated on Oahu with views of Pearl Harbor. This census-designated place provides a lifestyle that balances proximity to historical sites and natural beauty with access to urban amenities. Its location makes it an appealing spot for those seeking a slice of Hawaiian life without the intensity of Honolulu’s most bustling areas.

The community of Aiea is characterized by its diverse population and a median age that suggests a stable, established community. Residents often appreciate the balance of peaceful living with opportunities for recreation and cultural engagement. Understanding the various facets of life in Aiea, from safety and cost of living to educational opportunities and local employment, is crucial for anyone considering a move to this Hawaiian locale.

Is it Safe to Live in Aiea?

Aiea’s overall crime rate is comparable to the average for U.S. cities, earning it a C+ grade for safety (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). While the general crime rate is around 24.12 per 1,000 residents, the chance of being a victim of crime varies significantly by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 13 in the west to 1 in 63 in the east (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The central parts of Aiea experience the most crime incidents annually, approximately 221, while the southwest area has the fewest, around 29 (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Violent crime in Aiea is notably lower than the national average, with a rate of 1.864 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This places Aiea in the 80th percentile for safety regarding violent crime, meaning it is safer than 80% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime, however, presents a different picture, with Aiea’s rate being higher than the national average, leading to a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Specifically, motor vehicle theft is a concern, with Aiea having one of the nation’s higher rates for this type of crime (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Availability

The cost of housing in Aiea is significantly higher than the national average, with housing expenses being 303% higher than in an average U.S. city (as reported by AreaVibes). This elevated cost impacts both homeownership and rental markets, including prices, mortgage rates, and insurance. The median home value in Aiea is approximately $986,189 (as reported by Livability.com).

Rental prices in Aiea also reflect the high cost of living. The average rent for an apartment is around $2,600 per month (as reported by Zillow), with variations based on the number of bedrooms. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment averages about $2,100 per month, while a two-bedroom averages around $2,600, and a three-bedroom can reach approximately $3,300 per month (as reported by Zillow). These figures are generally consistent across various rental platforms, with some indicating slightly lower averages for apartments, such as $1,687 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Rental Market Trends

The rental market in Aiea offers a diverse range of housing options, from modern apartment complexes to single-family homes. One-bedroom apartments typically range from $1,200 to $1,393 (as reported by Rentometer), while three-bedroom houses can rent for around $3,600 (as reported by Rentometer). There has been a recent increase in rental prices, with a month-over-month rise of $100 (as reported by Zillow). This upward trend is also reflected in the year-over-year change, which has seen an increase of $100 (as reported by Zillow).

The average rent in Aiea has seen fluctuations, with some sources indicating a median rent price of $2,600 across all bedroom counts and property types (as reported by Zumper). This represents a 33% increase compared to East Honolulu, HI (as reported by Zumper). Apartments.com notes a more modest increase in the past year of 0.8%, averaging out to about $13 more per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Cost of Living

Aiea’s cost of living is substantially higher than the national average, standing at 207, which is 107% higher than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). It is also 28% higher than the average cost of living within Hawaii itself (as reported by AreaVibes). This elevated cost is driven by several factors, including housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries.

Household bills in Aiea are approximately 30% higher than the U.S. median, amounting to about $2,723 per month or $32,670 annually (as reported by doxo). This figure excludes mortgage and rent costs. Groceries are also a significant expense, being 27.1% more expensive than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This is largely due to the state’s reliance on imported goods, contributing to higher prices for everyday essentials.

Factors Influencing Expenses

The high cost of living in Aiea is intrinsically linked to Hawaii’s unique geographical position. As an island state, 85-90% of consumer goods are shipped from the mainland, adding considerable freight costs to the price of nearly everything (as reported by HiEstates). This impacts everything from groceries, which are about 30% more expensive than the national average (as reported by HiEstates), to utilities and transportation.

Electricity rates in Hawaii are more than double the national average, contributing to higher monthly utility bills (as reported by HiEstates). Similarly, gas prices are consistently among the highest in the nation. These combined expenses mean that residents must carefully budget, as household bills can account for a significant portion of their income.

Job Market and Economy

The average salary in Aiea, Hawaii, is approximately $72,247 per year, or $35 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources place the average annual salary slightly lower, around $43,388 per year, equating to about $20.86 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). These figures suggest a competitive job market with varying income potentials depending on the industry and specific role.

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided data, the economy of Aiea and its surrounding Honolulu County benefits from a diverse range of industries typical of a metropolitan area. These likely include sectors such as tourism, hospitality, healthcare, retail, and government services, given its proximity to Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. The unemployment rate is not explicitly detailed for Aiea, but it is influenced by broader economic trends in Honolulu County and the state of Hawaii.

Employment and Income

The median household income in Aiea is reported to be $140,308 (as reported by Point2Homes and others), with a per capita income of $64,949 (as reported by Point2Homes and others). These figures indicate a strong earning potential within the community, though they are balanced against the high cost of living. The distribution of salaries shows that most incomes range between the 25th percentile of $30,497 and the 75th percentile of $54,800 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter), with higher earners present in the market.

The educational attainment of adults in Aiea is high, with 93.6% being high school graduates and 38.1% holding college degrees (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This educational background likely contributes to the skilled workforce available in the area, supporting various professional roles and contributing to the local economy.

Climate and Weather

Aiea experiences a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round. The average temperatures typically range from 65°F to 86°F throughout the year (as reported by Livability.com). Summers are hot and muggy, while winters are mild and comfortable, with the coolest temperatures occurring in January, averaging a low of 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Annual precipitation averages around 48 inches, with rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). However, December is typically the wettest month, receiving an average of 6.72 inches of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity can be noticeable during the summer months, from May to November (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Seasonal Weather Patterns

The climate in Aiea is generally described as windy and mostly clear year-round (as reported by Time and Date). The hot season extends from late June to mid-October, with daily high temperatures averaging above 85°F, peaking in August with highs around 87°F (as reported by Time and Date). Conversely, the cool season runs from mid-December to early April, with daily high temperatures generally below 81°F, with January seeing average lows around 67°F (as reported by Time and Date).

The number of days with comfortable weather, defined by mild temperatures and low humidity, is estimated to be around 153 days per year, primarily between January and April, and extending into December (as reported by myPerfectWeather). This makes Aiea an attractive destination for those who enjoy a consistently warm climate with limited extreme temperature variations.

Education and Schools

Aiea, Hawaii, is served by the Hawaii Department of Education district, which is highly rated within the state. The city is home to seven public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. These institutions collectively serve approximately 3,303 students, with 85% of K-12 students attending public schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Performance metrics indicate that Aiea public schools have strong math proficiency scores, averaging 44% compared to the state average of 39%, and reading proficiency scores of 54%, slightly above the state average of 52% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The schools in Aiea generally rank well, with an average ranking of 9 out of 10, placing them in the top 20% of Hawaii public schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School Performance and Diversity

Among the notable schools in Aiea are Pearl Ridge Elementary School, Gustav H. Webling Elementary School, and Aiea High School, all of which receive strong rankings (as reported by SchoolDigger.com and Niche). Aiea High School, for instance, ranks 14th out of 62 high schools in the state and boasts an 89% four-year graduation rate (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Aiea Intermediate School also performs well, ranking 21st out of 84 middle schools statewide (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

The student body in Aiea’s public schools is highly diverse, with minority enrollment making up 93% of students, a majority of whom are of Asian descent (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). This reflects the broader demographic makeup of Aiea itself, where individuals of Asian descent form the largest ethnic group. While top-performing schools excel, there are noted disparities, with some schools requiring additional support to ensure equitable educational outcomes (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Population

As of recent estimates, Aiea is home to a population of approximately 9,087 residents (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). The median age in Aiea is 45 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA), indicating a mature demographic. The population is distributed with about 23.1% being over 65 years old, and 8.0% under five years old (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The racial and ethnic composition of Aiea is diverse. Asian residents, particularly those of Non-Hispanic origin, form the largest group, making up approximately 55.5% of the population (as reported by Data USA and Point2Homes). Other significant demographic groups include those identifying with two or more races (around 20.3%), and White residents (around 13.3%) (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA).

Population Characteristics

In terms of citizenship, about 93.1% of Aiea residents are citizens, which is slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The foreign-born population constitutes about 18.1% of residents, a figure that has been increasing (as reported by Data USA). This diversity contributes to the cultural richness of the community.

Gender distribution shows a slight majority of males, with 51.4% of residents being male and 48.6% being female (as reported by Point2Homes). The average household size is around 3 members, with 73.5% of households being families (as reported by Point2Homes).