City Report · HI

Waikoloa

Pop. 7,543·9th most expensive in Hawaii·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,200/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
+$1,268
Reported rents
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waikoloa · $3,200
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
53% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,200/mo, rent takes about 53% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$128,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Waikoloa's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,010
1 BR
$2,060
2 BR
$2,650
3 BR
$3,450
4 BR+
$3,860
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,650/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,200 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: October 17, 2026

Annual cost
$38,400/yr
At $3,200/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Waikoloa, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,543
Median age
38.7
Renters
30.5%
Age distribution
26%
18.4%
24.4%
20.2%
Under 1826%
18–3418.4%
35–5424.4%
55–6410.9%
65+20.2%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
41.7%
36.9%
White41.7%
Black1.9%
Hispanic8.7%
Asian10.7%
Other36.9%
Education (25+)
30.2%
35.4%
31.4%
No HS diploma3%
HS diploma30.2%
Some college35.4%
Bachelor's+31.4%
Housing tenure
69.5%
30.5%
Owner69.5%
Renter30.5%

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

2019 vs 2026

How Waikoloa, HI has changed in 5 years

Population
6,549 → 7,543
up 15.2%
Renter share
26.5% → 30.5%
+4.0 pts
Bachelor's+
34.6% → 31.4%
-3.2 pts

Headcount in the area went from 6,549 to 7,543 between 2019 and 2024, a 15.2% change. About 30.5% of households rent today, against 26.5% in 2019. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 34.6% to 31.4%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Waikoloa on your salary?

At $3,200/mo, how Waikoloa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Waikoloa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Waikoloa

About renting in Waikoloa, HI

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Waikoloa is $3,200/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,650/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,450/mo.

At 53% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Waikoloa ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Waikoloa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $128,000/year (about $62/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,200/mo in Waikoloa.

Is rent going up or down in Waikoloa?

Rent in Waikoloa has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does Waikoloa rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Waikoloa is in the middle among Hawaii cities for rent, ranking #9 of 21 tracked cities at $3,200/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waikoloa?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Waikoloa ($3,200/mo) include Keaau ($2,067/mo), Hilo ($2,129/mo), and Kailua Kona ($2,947/mo).
Income Affordability
53%
EXPENSIVE

At $3,200/mo, rent takes ~53% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waikoloa 53%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Waikoloa affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waikoloa, HI

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