Cost of Living in Hawaii County, Hawaii
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Hawaii County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Hawaii County ranks #2,725 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 13%)
Sourced county brief
Hawaii County renters spend 30.7 percent of income on rent
In Hawaii County, the official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was estimated at 30.7%. This figure, which serves as the official median percentage for renter-occupied units according to ACS table B25071, is 1.4 percentage points higher than the Hawaii unweighted county mean of 29.3%. Renter households in the county reported a median income of $54,668. The median gross rent was $1,510 per month, which is below the unweighted Hawaii county mean of $1,730. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,192, compared to the unweighted Hawaii county mean of $1,834. The median home value in Hawaii County was $519,300, which is below the state's unweighted county mean of $798,675. These statistics represent a snapshot from the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Hawaii County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.7% of renter household income in Hawaii County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,510 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,192. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $60,400 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Hawaii unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,730 per month. Hawaii County's $1,510 median is 12.7% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Hawaii County
Rent Burden
23.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,835
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.2%
of gross income
The median home in Hawaii County may be a stretch
Median home value is $519,300. Estimated monthly cost: $4,146 vs. your max of $1,835.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Hawaii County, Hawaii?
What is the median rent in Hawaii County?
Is Hawaii County affordable?
How does Hawaii County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Hawaii County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Hawaii County, Hawaii? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Hawaii County
Whether you're buying in Hawaii County, Hawaii, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.