Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Wailuku, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 69.4% of gross income.
Wailuku 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 Wailuku, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wailuku
View full rent data for Wailuku, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Wailuku, HI?
Median rent in Wailuku is $3,202 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Hawaii earns about $55,372 a year, which makes that rent 69.4% 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 Wailuku?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Hawaii (~$55,372/yr) supports up to $1,384 a month in rent. Wailuku's current median rent is $3,202/mo, which is $1,818/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Wailuku?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, an auto mechanic in Hawaii works roughly 120.3 hours a month to cover Wailuku's median rent of $3,202.
Where is rent cheaper than Wailuku for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waikoloa ($3,200/mo), Makawao ($3,199/mo), Lahaina ($3,197/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.