Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 74.4% of gross income.
Kailua Kona rent: June 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 Kona, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kailua Kona
View full rent data for Kailua Kona, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Median rent in Kailua Kona is $3,433 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Hawaii earns about $55,372 a year, which makes that rent 74.4% 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 Kona?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Hawaii (~$55,372/yr) supports up to $1,384 a month in rent. Kailua Kona's current median rent is $3,433/mo, which is $2,049/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Kailua Kona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, an auto mechanic in Hawaii works roughly 129 hours a month to cover Kailua Kona's median rent of $3,433.
Where is rent cheaper than Kailua Kona for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wailuku ($3,427/mo), Kapolei ($3,420/mo), Waialua ($3,407/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.