Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Makawao, HI?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 120.4% of gross income.

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

Makawao median rent
$3,808/mo
Bartender salary (Hawaii)
$37,940/yr
Rent as % of income
120.4%
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 $3,808 exceeds that threshold by $2,859/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 208.8 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:

Kihei, HI
$3,804/mo (120.3% of income)
Waikoloa, HI
$3,800/mo (120.2% of income)
Kihei, HI
$3,766/mo (119.1% 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 $3,808 a month. A typical bartender in Hawaii earns about $37,940 a year, which makes that rent 120.4% 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 $3,808/mo, which is $2,859/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 208.8 hours a month to cover Makawao's median rent of $3,808.

Where is rent cheaper than Makawao for a bartender?

Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kihei ($3,804/mo), Waikoloa ($3,800/mo), Kihei ($3,766/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.