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City Report · HI

Kailua

·2nd most expensive in Hawaii·Kailua rents are up 12.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$4,015/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.2%
vs US Median
+$2,053
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kailua · $4,015
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
30/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% above what Kailua's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$4,015/mo
Expected by trend
$3,650/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kailua's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,580
1 BR
$2,810
2 BR
$3,680
3 BR
$5,160
4 BR+
$6,180
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,680/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,015 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$48,180/yr
At $4,015/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.6% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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2021 vs 2026

How Kailua, HI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,757 → $4,015
up 45.6%

Since 2021, the typical rent in Kailua, HI has increased from $2,757 to $4,015, a 45.6% change over five years. Taken together, the five-year picture in Kailua, HI reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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View Kailua rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kailua on your salary?

At $4,015/mo, how Kailua rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kailua rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kailua. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kailua

About renting in Kailua, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kailua is $4,015/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,580/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,680/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,160/mo.

At 67% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Kailua ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kailua an affordable city for renters?

Kailua is considered expensive for renters. At $4,015/mo, rent takes approximately 67% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kailua significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Kailua?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $161,000/year (~$77/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,015/mo in Kailua.

Is rent going up or down in Kailua?

Rent in Kailua has increased 12.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Kailua rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Kailua is one of the pricier cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #2 out of 21 tracked cities at $4,015/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kailua?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kailua ($4,015/mo): Pearl City ($2,591/mo), Honolulu ($2,678/mo), Aiea ($2,758/mo).

How does Kailua rent compare to the national average?

Kailua's median rent of $4,015/mo is $2,053 (105%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #2 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
67%
EXPENSIVE

At $4,015/mo, rent takes ~67% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kailua 67%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Kailua affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kailua
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

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Public schools near Kailua, HI

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