How much does it cost to rent in Kapolei, HI?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Kapolei, HI is $3,494. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Kapolei cheaper than other Hawaii cities?

Kapolei is one of the pricier cities in Hawaii, ranking #6 out of 21 cities tracked at $3,494/mo.

When was Kapolei rent data last updated?

Kapolei rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Kapolei, HI?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Kapolei, HI at $3,220 per month, which is 8% below the $3,494 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · HI

Kapolei

Name: Average Rent Prices in Kapolei, HI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 22,232·6th most expensive in Hawaii·Kapolei rents are up 8.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,494/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.0%

Month-over-Month

+2.2%

vs US Median

+$1,532

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Kapolei rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Kapolei · $3,494

More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

42/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Kapolei's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,494/mo

Expected by trend

$3,366/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kapolei's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,260

1 BR

$2,460

2 BR

$3,220

3 BR

$4,510

4 BR+

$5,410

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$3,220/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,494 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$41,928/yr

At $3,494/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kapolei, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 29.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,232

Median income

$128,324

Median age

35.3

Renters

23.5%

Age distribution

26.2%

23.2%

26.9%

12.5%

Under 1826.2%

18–3423.2%

35–5426.9%

55–6412.5%

65+11.2%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

17.5%

26.8%

41.8%

White11.8%

Black2.2%

Hispanic17.5%

Asian26.8%

Other41.8%

Education (25+)

30%

33.7%

29.9%

No HS diploma6.4%

HS diploma30%

Some college33.7%

Bachelor's+29.9%

Housing tenure

76.5%

23.5%

Owner76.5%

Renter23.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Kapolei, HI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,627 → $3,494

up 33.0%

Income

$116,128 → $128,324

up 10.5%

Population

23,248 → 22,232

down 4.4%

Renter share

24.6% → 23.5%

-1.1 pts

Bachelor's+

33.6% → 29.9%

-3.7 pts

Median age

32.7 → 35.3

+2.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Kapolei, HI paid around $2,627 a month. That figure now sits near $3,494, up 33.0% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $116,128 to $128,324 across the same window, up 10.5% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Kapolei, HI losing about 1,016 residents over the five-year window, down 4.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 33.6% to 29.9% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Kapolei, HI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Kapolei

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Kapolei rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kapolei on your salary?

At $3,494/mo, how Kapolei rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $102,038/yr · Rent = 41.1% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $72,446/yr · Rent = 57.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $83,452/yr · Rent = 50.2% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $149,159/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $190,588/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $67,835/yr · Rent = 61.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $61,247/yr · Rent = 68.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $75,492/yr · Rent = 55.5% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Kapolei rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kapolei

About renting in Kapolei, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kapolei is $3,494/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,220/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,460/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,510/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($128,324/yr), Kapolei ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kapolei an affordable city for renters?

Kapolei is considered moderate for renters. At $3,494/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($128,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kapolei slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kapolei?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $140,000/year (~$67/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,494/mo in Kapolei. The local median household income is $128,324/yr, meaning the typical Kapolei household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kapolei?

Rent in Kapolei has increased 8.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Kapolei rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Kapolei is one of the pricier cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #6 out of 21 tracked cities at $3,494/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kapolei?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kapolei ($3,494/mo): Waianae ($2,339/mo), Pearl City ($2,591/mo), Waipahu ($2,897/mo).

What percentage of Kapolei residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.5% of Kapolei households are renters, while 76.5% are owner-occupied. Kapolei leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kapolei rent compare to the national average?

Kapolei's median rent of $3,494/mo is $1,532 (78%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #6 out of 21 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $3,494/mo, rent takes ~33% of Kapolei's median household income ($128,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kapolei 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.4–11%

Run the Kapolei affordability calculator →

Nearby cities