Ewa Gentry CDP vs Los Angeles

Category / Metric	Ewa Gentry CDP	Los Angeles
Financial Overview
Median Income	$131,755	$79,701
Unemployment Rate	2.2%	5.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$768,200	$1,002,500
Price per SqFt	$null	$616
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$2,038	$2,006
Housing Cost Index	143.7	173.0
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	106.9	107.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.98
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	234.0	732.5
Bachelor's Degree+	29.6%	39.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	31	52

The Ultimate Head-to-Head: Los Angeles vs. Ewa Gentry, Hawaii

You're standing at a crossroads. On one side, the electric, sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles—the city of dreams, grit, and endless traffic. On the other, a quiet, sun-drenched community on the shores of O'ahu: Ewa Gentry. It’s not a household name like LA, but in the world of relocation, it’s a serious contender.

This isn’t just about choosing between a big city and a small town. It’s about choosing a lifestyle. Do you want the hustle and the Hollywood glow, or the serenity of island living with a surprising economic punch? Let’s cut through the noise, crunch the numbers, and find out where you belong.

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The Vibe Check: Fast-Paced Metro vs. Laid-Back Island Town

Los Angeles is a beast. It’s a 500-square-mile mosaic of cultures, industries, and neighborhoods. One minute you’re in the concrete jungle of Downtown LA, the next you’re sipping a latte in the artsy enclave of Silver Lake. The energy is palpable, driven by the entertainment industry, tech startups, and a relentless ambition. It’s for the go-getter, the creative, the person who thrives on anonymity and optionality. If you need to be where the action is, LA is your battlefield.

Ewa Gentry, Hawaii is the antithesis. A census-designated place (CDP) on the island of O'ahu, it’s a suburban haven with a distinct local flavor. Think palm trees, golf courses, and a strong sense of community. It’s part of the Leeward Coast, which has seen rapid growth but retains a quieter, more residential feel than Honolulu. Life here revolves around the ocean, the mountains, and family. It’s for the person seeking balance, who values nature and a slower pace, but still wants access to city amenities (Honolulu is a 30-45 minute drive). It’s paradise, but with a mortgage.

Who is it for?

• Los Angeles: The career-driven professional, the artist, the foodie, the extrovert who wants endless entertainment options.
• Ewa Gentry: The family-oriented, the remote worker, the retiree, or the professional who wants a tropical backdrop without the full-blown tourist chaos of Waikiki.

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The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Feel Like More?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Sticker shock is real in both places, but in very different ways. Let’s get the data on the table.

Metric	Los Angeles, CA	Ewa Gentry, HI	The Takeaway
Median Income	$79,701	$131,755	Ewa Gentry residents earn significantly more.
Median Home Price	$1,002,500	$768,200	LA homes are 30% more expensive on average.
Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$2,038	Rent is virtually identical—a rare surprise.
Housing Index	173.0	143.7	LA housing is 20% less affordable relative to income.
Violent Crime (per 100k)	732.5	234.0	LA's rate is over 3x higher than Ewa Gentry's.

The Salary Wars: The Purchasing Power Puzzle
If you earn $100,000, where does it feel like you're winning? Let's be honest: $100k in LA is a respectable but strained middle-class income. After California’s high state income tax (which can take up to 9.3% of your income if you’re not careful), that paycheck shrinks fast. You’ll be competing in a fiercely competitive rental market with that same $2,006 price tag, and buying a home feels like a distant dream for most. Your purchasing power is constantly under siege by the sheer cost of existing in LA.

Now, transplant that same $100,000 salary to Ewa Gentry. The median income there is $131,755, so you’d be slightly below average, but the dynamics change. Hawaii has a progressive income tax system, but it’s generally lower than California’s for middle-income earners. More importantly, your money chases a slightly less inflated housing market. While rent is the same, the median home price is $768,200 vs. LA’s $1,002,500. That’s a $234,300 difference—a massive chunk of change. Your salary goes further toward asset building in Ewa Gentry.

Insight: Ewa Gentry offers higher median incomes and lower relative housing costs. LA’s high salaries are often swallowed by its astronomical cost of living. For pure purchasing power, Ewa Gentry edges out LA, assuming you can secure a job that pays the local median.

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The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & The Competition

Los Angeles: The Buyer’s Bloodbath
Buying in LA is not for the faint of heart. With a median home price over $1 million, you’re looking at a down payment of at least $200,000 for a conventional loan. The market is a perpetual seller’s market, characterized by bidding wars, all-cash offers, and waived contingencies. Inventory is chronically low. Renting is the default for most, but even that is a battlefield with fierce competition for every decent unit.

Ewa Gentry: A More Attainable Slice of Paradise
Ewa Gentry’s market is competitive but saner. The median home price of $768,200 is still high, but it’s within the realm of possibility for dual-income professionals. The community is growing, with new developments adding inventory, which can provide a bit more breathing room for buyers. Renting is equally challenging, with prices mirroring LA’s, but the supply might be slightly less frantic than in a major metro core. It’s still a seller’s market, but the stakes feel lower.

Verdict on Housing: For a buyer, Ewa Gentry is the more approachable market. For a renter, it’s a toss-up based on your specific job and lifestyle needs.

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The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute:

• Los Angeles: Infamous. The average commute is 29.6 minutes, but that’s a rosy average. Rush hour can turn a 10-mile trip into a 60-minute ordeal. Car ownership is non-negotiable, and gas prices are among the highest in the nation. The commute is a major daily stressor.
• Ewa Gentry: Traffic exists, but it’s on a different scale. Commuting to Honolulu can be congested, but you’re rarely dealing with LA-level gridlock. The island’s size means you’re never too far from anything. The trade-off? You’re dependent on a car, and inter-island travel is expensive.

Weather:

• Los Angeles: Mediterranean dream. Mild, dry, and sunny year-round. The average temperature is a pleasant 54°F (that’s likely the annual average low; highs are in the 70s-80s). No humidity, no snow, no hurricanes. The weather is a top-tier asset.
• Ewa Gentry, Hawaii: Tropical paradise. Expect warm temperatures year-round (likely in the 70s-80s°F), high humidity, and the trade winds. The weather is consistently beautiful, but the humidity can be a dealbreaker for some. You also have to consider the hurricane season (June-Nov).

Crime & Safety:
This data is stark and speaks for itself. Ewa Gentry’s violent crime rate is 234.0 per 100k people. Los Angeles’s rate is 732.5 per 100k. Ewa Gentry is over three times safer than LA. While LA has many safe neighborhoods, the city-wide average is dramatically higher. For families and anyone prioritizing a sense of security, this is a massive point in Ewa Gentry’s favor.

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The Final Verdict: Who Wins Your Heart?

There’s no universal winner, only the right fit for your life stage and priorities.

• Winner for Families: Ewa Gentry, Hawaii. The significantly lower crime rate, strong community feel, access to nature, and more attainable (though still expensive) housing make it a safer, more stable environment for raising kids. The median income also suggests a robust local economy.
• Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Los Angeles, California. If your career is in entertainment, tech, fashion, or a field that thrives on networking and scale, LA is unparalleled. The cultural density, nightlife, and sheer number of opportunities for social and professional growth are unmatched. You’ll pay for it in stress and cost, but for the right person, it’s worth the price of admission.
• Winner for Retirees: Ewa Gentry, Hawaii. The combination of safety, beautiful weather, a slower pace of life, and a community-oriented atmosphere is ideal for retirement. While Hawaii has a high cost of living, the lower crime rate and quality of life can outweigh the financial strain for those with solid retirement savings.

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At a Glance: Pros & Cons

Los Angeles, CA

Pros:

• Unmatched Career Opportunities: A global hub for multiple industries.
• Cultural & Culinary Mecca: Endless museums, concerts, and world-class food.
• Perfect Weather: Consistently mild and sunny year-round.
• Diverse Neighborhoods: Find a community that fits any identity or interest.

Cons:

• Extreme Cost of Living: Among the highest in the U.S.
• Brutal Traffic & Long Commutes: A daily reality for most residents.
• High Crime Rate: Statistically much higher than the national average.
• Fiercely Competitive Housing Market: Nearly impossible to buy for the average person.

Ewa Gentry, HI

Pros:

• Significantly Safer: Violent crime rate is a fraction of LA’s.
• Higher Median Income: Strong local economy and purchasing power.
• More Attainable Housing: Lower median home price than LA.
• Tropical Lifestyle: Access to beaches, hiking, and outdoor activities.
• Strong Community Feel: A suburban, family-friendly environment.

Cons:

• Isolation: You’re on an island. Travel to the mainland is expensive and time-consuming.
• High Cost of Goods: Many items are shipped in, raising prices.
• Limited Career Options: The job market is smaller and less diverse than LA.
• Humidity & Hurricanes: Tropical weather isn’t for everyone.

The Bottom Line: Choose Los Angeles if you’re chasing a dream career and crave the energy of a global city, and you’re prepared to hustle for every dollar. Choose Ewa Gentry if you prioritize safety, community, and a balanced lifestyle, and you have the income to support island living. For most people seeking a blend of opportunity and quality of life, Ewa Gentry presents a compelling, often overlooked alternative.