Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.7% of gross income.
Kailua Kona 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 Kona, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kailua Kona
View full rent data for Kailua Kona, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Kailua Kona, HI?
Median rent in Kailua Kona is $3,433 a month. A typical firefighter in Hawaii earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 60.7% 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 Kona?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Hawaii (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Kailua Kona's current median rent is $3,433/mo, which is $1,737/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Kailua Kona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Hawaii works roughly 105.3 hours a month to cover Kailua Kona's median rent of $3,433.
Where is rent cheaper than Kailua Kona for a firefighter?
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 firefighter salary.