Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Makawao, HI?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 127.7% of gross income.

Makawao rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).

Makawao median rent
$4,039/mo
Bartender salary (Hawaii)
$37,940/yr
Rent as % of income
127.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,162, and the 30% rule supports up to $949/mo in rent. Makawao's median rent of $4,039 exceeds that threshold by $3,090/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 221.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Makawao, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Kailua, HI
$4,015/mo (127% of income)
Kailua, HI
$4,006/mo (126.7% of income)
Lahaina, HI
$3,974/mo (125.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Makawao

View full rent data for Makawao, HI

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Makawao, HI?

Median rent in Makawao is $4,039 a month. A typical bartender in Hawaii earns about $37,940 a year, which makes that rent 127.7% 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 Makawao?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Hawaii (~$37,940/yr) supports up to $949 a month in rent. Makawao's current median rent is $4,039/mo, which is $3,090/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Makawao?

At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Hawaii works roughly 221.4 hours a month to cover Makawao's median rent of $4,039.

Where is rent cheaper than Makawao for a bartender?

Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kailua ($4,015/mo), Kailua ($4,006/mo), Lahaina ($3,974/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Hawaii state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Makawao, HI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.