Studio Apartment Rent in Makawao, HI
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Makawao, Hawaii as of July 2026. That's +55% lower than the citywide median of $3,808 and +33% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Makawao
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Makawao
Compare Makawao's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Hawaii
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keaau | $1,320 |
| 2 | Hilo | $1,520 |
| 3 | Wailuku | $1,570 |
| 4 | Waianae | $1,660 |
| 5 | Waipahu | $1,690 |
| 6 | Makawao (this page) | $1,720 |
| 7 | Aiea | $1,800 |
| 8 | Kailua Kona | $1,850 |
| 9 | Haleiwa | $1,880 |
| 10 | Lahaina | $1,910 |
| 11 | Mililani | $1,940 |
| 12 | Pearl City | $1,950 |
| 13 | Honolulu | $1,953 |
| 14 | Kaneohe | $2,000 |
| 15 | Kihei | $2,010 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Hawaii
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Makawao.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Makawao |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kihei, HI | 12.8 mi | $2,010 | +$290 (+17%) |
| Wailuku, HI | 16.6 mi | $1,570 | $-150 (-9%) |
| Lahaina, HI | 22.2 mi | $1,910 | +$190 (+11%) |
| Waikoloa, HI | 74.6 mi | $2,010 | +$290 (+17%) |
| Kailua Kona, HI | 78.7 mi | $1,850 | +$130 (+8%) |
| Kailua, HI | 108 mi | $2,580 | +$860 (+50%) |
| Hilo, HI | 109.3 mi | $1,520 | $-200 (-12%) |
| Honolulu, HI | 110.6 mi | $1,953 | +$233 (+14%) |
| Kaneohe, HI | 113.7 mi | $2,000 | +$280 (+16%) |
| Aiea, HI | 116.4 mi | $1,800 | +$80 (+5%) |
| Pearl City, HI | 120.1 mi | $1,950 | +$230 (+13%) |
| Mililani, HI | 121.5 mi | $1,940 | +$220 (+13%) |
Studio rent in Makawao — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Makawao?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Makawao, Hawaii is $1,720 per month. This is +55% below the citywide median of $3,808.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Makawao?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $68,800 ($5,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.08/hour at a full-time job.
Is Makawao expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Makawao's studio median of $1,720 is +33% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 77th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Makawao rank for studio rent in Hawaii?
Among the 21 cities in Hawaii with studio data, Makawao ranks #6 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Makawao?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Wailuku ($1,570), Hilo ($1,520).