Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Wailuku, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 103.5% of gross income.
Wailuku rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a nursing assistant salary
Nursing assistant (CNA) pay falls below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in nearly every US metro, which is the central tension behind the widely studied direct-care workforce affordability gap. At the national-average CNA salary, the 30% rule supports about $990 a month in rent — below median rent in most cities. The per-city pages quantify how far below.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Wailuku, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wailuku
View full rent data for Wailuku, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Wailuku, HI?
Median rent in Wailuku is $3,691 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Hawaii earns about $42,779 a year, which makes that rent 103.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Wailuku?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Hawaii (~$42,779/yr) supports up to $1,069 a month in rent. Wailuku's current median rent is $3,691/mo, which is $2,622/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Wailuku?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Hawaii works roughly 179.5 hours a month to cover Wailuku's median rent of $3,691.
Where is rent cheaper than Wailuku for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kailua Kona ($3,652/mo), Kihei ($3,642/mo), Kailua ($3,626/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.