Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Honolulu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.5% of gross income.
Honolulu rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Honolulu, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Honolulu
View full rent data for Honolulu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Honolulu, HI?
Median rent in Honolulu is $2,660 a month. A typical carpenter in Hawaii earns about $65,815 a year, which makes that rent 48.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Honolulu?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Hawaii (~$65,815/yr) supports up to $1,645 a month in rent. Honolulu's current median rent is $2,660/mo, which is $1,015/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Honolulu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a carpenter in Hawaii works roughly 84.1 hours a month to cover Honolulu's median rent of $2,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Honolulu for a carpenter?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waipahu ($2,657/mo), Mililani ($2,653/mo), Kailua ($2,650/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.