Rents are 8% above what Pearl City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $2,591 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Pearl City, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 39% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Pearl City, HI has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Pearl City, HI has increased from $1,806 to $2,591, a 43.5% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $108,772 in 2021 to $118,112 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 45,941 residents to roughly 44,547. College-educated residents now make up 39% of adults here, versus 36.3% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Pearl City, HI market of 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Pearl City on your salary?
At $2,591/mo, how Pearl City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Pearl City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Pearl City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Pearl City
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Pearl City is $2,591/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,780/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,900/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($118,112/yr), Pearl City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pearl City an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Pearl City?
Is rent going up or down in Pearl City?
How does Pearl City rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
What percentage of Pearl City residents rent vs. own?
How does Pearl City rent compare to the national average?
At $2,591/mo, rent takes ~26% of Pearl City's median household income ($118,112/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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