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City Report · HI

Keaau

Pop. 1,436·18th most expensive in Hawaii·Rental market data updated monthly for Keaau, HI
Median rent (all units)
$2,465/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.2%
vs US Median
+$503
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Keaau · $2,465
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,465/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$99,000/yr
Local median income
$85,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Keaau's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,320
1 BR
$1,400
2 BR
$1,810
3 BR
$2,330
4 BR+
$2,570
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,810/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,465 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
$29,580/yr
At $2,465/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Keaau, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
1,436
Median income
$85,000
Median age
43.3
Renters
39.1%
Age distribution
21.4%
19.4%
21.4%
13.2%
24.5%
Under 1821.4%
18–3419.4%
35–5421.4%
55–6413.2%
65+24.5%
Gender
57.2%
42.8%
Male57.2%
Female42.8%
Race & ethnicity
42.9%
42.2%
White7.3%
Hispanic7.6%
Asian42.9%
Other42.2%
Education (25+)
48.8%
24.3%
17.3%
No HS diploma9.6%
HS diploma48.8%
Some college24.3%
Bachelor's+17.3%
Housing tenure
60.9%
39.1%
Owner60.9%
Renter39.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Keaau, HI has changed in 5 years

Income
$75,756 → $85,000
up 12.2%
Population
1,188 → 1,436
up 20.9%
Renter share
28.6% → 39.1%
+10.5 pts
Bachelor's+
21.5% → 17.3%
-4.2 pts
Median age
49.5 → 43.3
-6.2 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $75,756 in 2021 to $85,000 more recently. The population has grown by 20.9% since 2021, moving from about 1,188 residents to roughly 1,436. Renters now make up 39.1% of households, compared with 28.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 17.3% of adults here, versus 21.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Keaau

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

Can you afford rent in Keaau on your salary?

At $2,465/mo, how Keaau rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Keaau rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Keaau

About renting in Keaau, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Keaau is $2,465/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,320/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,810/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,400/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,330/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($85,000/yr), Keaau ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Keaau an affordable city for renters?

Keaau is considered moderate for renters. At $2,465/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($85,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Keaau slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Keaau?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,465/mo in Keaau. The local median household income is $85,000/yr, meaning the typical Keaau household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Keaau?

Rent in Keaau has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Keaau rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Keaau is one of the more affordable cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #18 out of 21 tracked cities at $2,465/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Keaau?

Hilo is nearby and more affordable at $2,088/mo, which is $377 less than Keaau.

What percentage of Keaau residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.1% of Keaau households are renters, while 60.9% are owner-occupied. Keaau leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Keaau rent compare to the national average?

Keaau's median rent of $2,465/mo is $503 (26%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #18 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,465/mo, rent takes ~35% of Keaau's median household income ($85,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Keaau 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Keaau affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Keaau
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Keaau, HI

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