At $3,202/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $3,202 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Wailuku changed +1.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 15 Hawaii cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.1%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($102,942) is $2,574 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,070); a 3-bedroom is $2,780.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Wailuku. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Wailuku, HI has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Wailuku on your salary?
At $3,202/mo, how Wailuku rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Wailuku rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Wailuku. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Wailuku
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Wailuku is $3,202/mo as of October 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 37% of local median household income ($102,942/yr), Wailuku ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Wailuku?
Is rent going up or down in Wailuku?
How does Wailuku rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wailuku?
At $3,202/mo, rent takes ~37% of Wailuku's median household income ($102,942/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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