Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 73.6% of gross income.
Kailua Kona rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a bus driver salary
Transit bus driver pay sits near the US median household income, with municipal and unionized routes often paying more. At the national-average bus driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,296 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Kailua Kona, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kailua Kona
View full rent data for Kailua Kona, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Median rent in Kailua Kona is $3,433 a month. A typical bus driver in Hawaii earns about $55,966 a year, which makes that rent 73.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Kailua Kona?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Hawaii (~$55,966/yr) supports up to $1,399 a month in rent. Kailua Kona's current median rent is $3,433/mo, which is $2,034/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Kailua Kona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a bus driver in Hawaii works roughly 127.6 hours a month to cover Kailua Kona's median rent of $3,433.
Where is rent cheaper than Kailua Kona for a bus driver?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wailuku ($3,427/mo), Kapolei ($3,420/mo), Waialua ($3,407/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.