Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Hilo, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66.3% of gross income.
Hilo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a bartender salary
Declared bartender pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US cities. Actual tip income in high-volume bars and fine-dining can push real take-home substantially higher. At the national-average declared bartender salary, the 30% rule supports about $878 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Hilo, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hilo
View full rent data for Hilo, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Hilo, HI?
Median rent in Hilo is $2,095 a month. A typical bartender in Hawaii earns about $37,940 a year, which makes that rent 66.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bartender afford in Hilo?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Hawaii (~$37,940/yr) supports up to $949 a month in rent. Hilo's current median rent is $2,095/mo, which is $1,146/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Hilo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Hawaii works roughly 114.9 hours a month to cover Hilo's median rent of $2,095.
Where is rent cheaper than Hilo for a bartender?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wahiawa ($2,093/mo), Wahiawa ($2,087/mo), Waianae ($2,086/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.