At $2,947/mo, rent takes about 49% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,947 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 Kailua Kona changed +19.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 15 Hawaii cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.1%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Kailua Kona.
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At $2,947/mo, how Kailua Kona rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Kailua Kona rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Kailua Kona. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Kailua Kona
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Kailua Kona is $2,947/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,900/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,180/mo.
At 49% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Kailua Kona ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 19.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Kailua Kona?
How does Kailua Kona rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
At $2,947/mo, rent takes ~49% 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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