Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Kailua, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 70.9% of gross income.
Kailua rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Kailua, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kailua
View full rent data for Kailua, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Kailua, HI?
Median rent in Kailua is $4,006 a month. A typical firefighter in Hawaii earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 70.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Kailua?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Hawaii (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Kailua's current median rent is $4,006/mo, which is $2,310/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Kailua?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Hawaii works roughly 122.8 hours a month to cover Kailua's median rent of $4,006.
Where is rent cheaper than Kailua for a firefighter?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Lahaina ($3,974/mo), Lahaina ($3,956/mo), Lahaina ($3,931/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.