Rents are 5% above what Honolulu's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,715 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Honolulu is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Honolulu changed +4.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 15 Hawaii cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.1%.
Rent in Honolulu is 33.6% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 19 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.
The priciest of 10 ZIP codes in Honolulu, 96825 ($3,897/mo), costs 1.9 times the cheapest, 96822 ($2,105/mo).
Pearl City, 10 miles away, rents for 11% less ($2,422/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Honolulu.
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How Honolulu, HI has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Honolulu, HI has shifted from $2,075 to $2,715, up 30.8% since 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Honolulu, HI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Honolulu on your salary?
At $2,715/mo, how Honolulu rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Honolulu rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Honolulu. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Honolulu
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Honolulu is $2,715/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,953/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,780/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,122/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,896/mo.
At 45% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Honolulu ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Honolulu rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Honolulu?
At $2,715/mo, rent takes ~45% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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