Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Makawao, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 72.2% of gross income.
Makawao 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 Makawao, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Makawao
View full rent data for Makawao, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Makawao, HI?
Median rent in Makawao is $3,333 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Hawaii earns about $55,372 a year, which makes that rent 72.2% 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 Makawao?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Hawaii (~$55,372/yr) supports up to $1,384 a month in rent. Makawao's current median rent is $3,333/mo, which is $1,949/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Makawao?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, an auto mechanic in Hawaii works roughly 125.2 hours a month to cover Makawao's median rent of $3,333.
Where is rent cheaper than Makawao for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kapolei ($3,331/mo), Kapolei ($3,327/mo), Kapolei ($3,325/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.