RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · HI

Waikoloa

Pop. 7,543·12th most expensive in Hawaii·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,230/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.2%
vs US Median
+$1,265
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Waikoloa rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waikoloa · $3,230
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
54% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,230/mo, rent takes about 54% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$129,000/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
Research median
$2,650/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$38,760/yr
At $3,230/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, +4.2% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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

Discussions about Waikoloa

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Waikoloa on your salary?

At $3,230/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Waikoloa is $3,230/mo as of July 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 54% 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

Is Waikoloa an affordable city for renters?

Waikoloa is considered expensive for renters. At $3,230/mo, rent takes approximately 54% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Waikoloa significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

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 $129,000/year (~$62/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,230/mo in Waikoloa.

Is rent going up or down in Waikoloa?

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

How does Waikoloa rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Waikoloa is middle-of-the-pack for Hawaii for rent, ranking #12 out of 21 tracked cities at $3,230/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waikoloa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Waikoloa ($3,230/mo): Hilo ($2,095/mo), Keaau ($2,217/mo).

What percentage of Waikoloa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.5% of Waikoloa households are renters, while 69.5% are owner-occupied. Waikoloa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Waikoloa rent compare to the national average?

Waikoloa's median rent of $3,230/mo is $1,265 (64%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #12 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
54%
EXPENSIVE

At $3,230/mo, rent takes ~54% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waikoloa 54%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Waikoloa affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Waikoloa
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waikoloa, HI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Waikoloa.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.