Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Wahiawa, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 73.1% of gross income.
Wahiawa rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Wahiawa, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wahiawa
View full rent data for Wahiawa, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Wahiawa, HI?
Median rent in Wahiawa is $2,440 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Hawaii earns about $40,036 a year, which makes that rent 73.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Wahiawa?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Hawaii (~$40,036/yr) supports up to $1,001 a month in rent. Wahiawa's current median rent is $2,440/mo, which is $1,439/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Wahiawa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Hawaii works roughly 126.8 hours a month to cover Wahiawa's median rent of $2,440.
Where is rent cheaper than Wahiawa for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Pearl City ($2,439/mo), Kapolei ($2,436/mo), Honolulu ($2,435/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.