Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Kapolei, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.5% of gross income.
Kapolei 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 Kapolei, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kapolei
View full rent data for Kapolei, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Kapolei, HI?
Median rent in Kapolei is $3,420 a month. A typical firefighter in Hawaii earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 60.5% 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 Kapolei?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Hawaii (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Kapolei's current median rent is $3,420/mo, which is $1,724/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Kapolei?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Hawaii works roughly 104.9 hours a month to cover Kapolei's median rent of $3,420.
Where is rent cheaper than Kapolei for a firefighter?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waialua ($3,407/mo), Wailuku ($3,395/mo), Haleiwa ($3,387/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.