At $3,333/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local 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 $3,333 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
30% of the median household income ($96,444) is $2,411 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,270); a 3-bedroom is $3,050.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Makawao. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Makawao, HI has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Makawao on your salary?
At $3,333/mo, how Makawao rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Makawao rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Makawao. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Makawao
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Makawao is $3,333/mo as of October 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 41% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Makawao?
Is rent going up or down in Makawao?
How does Makawao rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
At $3,333/mo, rent takes ~41% of Makawao's median household income ($96,444/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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