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City Report · HI

Makawao

Pop. 7,353·1st most expensive in Hawaii·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$4,039/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+6.1%
vs US Median
+$2,077
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Makawao · $4,039
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
50% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,039/mo, rent takes about 50% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$162,000/yr
Local median income
$96,444/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Makawao's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,720
1 BR
$1,730
2 BR
$2,270
3 BR
$3,050
4 BR+
$3,520
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,270/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,039 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
$48,468/yr
At $4,039/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, +6.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Makawao, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 28.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,353
Median income
$96,444
Median age
42.8
Renters
32.9%
Age distribution
23.8%
14%
25.4%
16.2%
20.6%
Under 1823.8%
18–3414%
35–5425.4%
55–6416.2%
65+20.6%
Gender
45.2%
54.8%
Male45.2%
Female54.8%
Race & ethnicity
28.5%
16.2%
18.3%
37%
White28.5%
Hispanic16.2%
Asian18.3%
Other37%
Education (25+)
25.2%
42.1%
28.3%
No HS diploma4.5%
HS diploma25.2%
Some college42.1%
Bachelor's+28.3%
Housing tenure
67.1%
32.9%
Owner67.1%
Renter32.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Makawao, HI has changed in 5 years

Income
$100,716 → $96,444
down 4.2%
Population
7,670 → 7,353
down 4.1%
Renter share
31.2% → 32.9%
+1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
28.6% → 28.3%
-0.3 pts
Median age
42.2 → 42.8
+0.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $100,716 to $96,444 across the same window, down 4.2% versus 2021. Census counts show Makawao, HI losing about 317 residents over the five-year window, down 4.1% on net. The renter share has risen from 31.2% to 32.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Makawao

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

Can you afford rent in Makawao on your salary?

At $4,039/mo, how Makawao rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Makawao rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Makawao

About renting in Makawao, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Makawao is $4,039/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,050/mo.

At 50% of local median household income ($96,444/yr), Makawao ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Makawao an affordable city for renters?

Makawao is considered stretched for renters. At $4,039/mo, rent takes approximately 50% of the local median household income ($96,444/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Makawao significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Makawao?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $162,000/year (~$78/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,039/mo in Makawao. The local median household income is $96,444/yr, meaning the typical Makawao household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Makawao?

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

How does Makawao rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Makawao is one of the pricier cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #1 out of 21 tracked cities at $4,039/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Makawao?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Makawao ($4,039/mo): Kihei ($3,182/mo), Lahaina ($3,202/mo), Wailuku ($3,288/mo).

What percentage of Makawao residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.9% of Makawao households are renters, while 67.1% are owner-occupied. Makawao leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Makawao rent compare to the national average?

Makawao's median rent of $4,039/mo is $2,077 (106%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #1 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
50%
STRETCHED

At $4,039/mo, rent takes ~50% of Makawao's median household income ($96,444/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Makawao 50%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Makawao affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Makawao
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Makawao, HI

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