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City Report · HI

Wailuku

Pop. 16,926·7th most expensive in Hawaii·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,288/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.0%
Month-over-Month
-10.9%
vs US Median
+$1,326
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wailuku · $3,288
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,288/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$132,000/yr
Local median income
$102,942/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wailuku's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,570
1 BR
$1,580
2 BR
$2,070
3 BR
$2,780
4 BR+
$3,210
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,288 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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$39,456/yr
At $3,288/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 2.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.0% YoY, -10.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wailuku, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 36.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,926
Median income
$102,942
Median age
43.8
Renters
29.4%
Age distribution
24.1%
14.9%
27.8%
15.1%
18.1%
Under 1824.1%
18–3414.9%
35–5427.8%
55–6415.1%
65+18.1%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
21.1%
33.6%
36.5%
White21.1%
Black1%
Hispanic7.7%
Asian33.6%
Other36.5%
Education (25+)
27.5%
30.3%
36.1%
No HS diploma6.1%
HS diploma27.5%
Some college30.3%
Bachelor's+36.1%
Housing tenure
70.6%
29.4%
Owner70.6%
Renter29.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wailuku, HI has changed in 5 years

Income
$83,393 → $102,942
up 23.4%
Population
15,670 → 16,926
up 8.0%
Renter share
33.5% → 29.4%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
33.3% → 36.1%
+2.8 pts
Median age
41.2 → 43.8
+2.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $102,942 today, compared with $83,393 five years earlier. The population has grown by 8.0% since 2021, moving from about 15,670 residents to roughly 16,926. Renters now make up 29.4% of households, compared with 33.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 36.1% of adults here, versus 33.3% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Wailuku

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

Can you afford rent in Wailuku on your salary?

At $3,288/mo, how Wailuku rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wailuku rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wailuku

About renting in Wailuku, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Wailuku is $3,288/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,570/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,580/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,780/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($102,942/yr), Wailuku ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wailuku an affordable city for renters?

Wailuku is considered moderate for renters. At $3,288/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($102,942/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wailuku slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Wailuku?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $132,000/year (~$63/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,288/mo in Wailuku. The local median household income is $102,942/yr, meaning the typical Wailuku household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wailuku?

Rent in Wailuku has decreased 2.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Wailuku rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Wailuku is one of the pricier cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #7 out of 21 tracked cities at $3,288/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wailuku?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wailuku ($3,288/mo): Kihei ($3,182/mo), Lahaina ($3,202/mo).

What percentage of Wailuku residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.4% of Wailuku households are renters, while 70.6% are owner-occupied. Wailuku leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wailuku rent compare to the national average?

Wailuku's median rent of $3,288/mo is $1,326 (68%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #7 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $3,288/mo, rent takes ~38% of Wailuku's median household income ($102,942/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wailuku 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Wailuku affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wailuku, HI

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