Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Kailua, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 81.3% of gross income.
Kailua rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Kailua, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kailua
View full rent data for Kailua, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Kailua, HI?
Median rent in Kailua is $3,753 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Hawaii earns about $55,372 a year, which makes that rent 81.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Kailua?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Hawaii (~$55,372/yr) supports up to $1,384 a month in rent. Kailua's current median rent is $3,753/mo, which is $2,369/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Kailua?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, an auto mechanic in Hawaii works roughly 141 hours a month to cover Kailua's median rent of $3,753.
Where is rent cheaper than Kailua for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Haiku ($3,698/mo), Haleiwa ($3,650/mo), Haleiwa ($3,648/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.