Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Waipahu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 86.8% of gross income.
Waipahu 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 Waipahu, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waipahu
View full rent data for Waipahu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Waipahu, HI?
Median rent in Waipahu is $2,897 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Hawaii earns about $40,036 a year, which makes that rent 86.8% 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 Waipahu?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Hawaii (~$40,036/yr) supports up to $1,001 a month in rent. Waipahu's current median rent is $2,897/mo, which is $1,896/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Waipahu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Hawaii works roughly 150.5 hours a month to cover Waipahu's median rent of $2,897.
Where is rent cheaper than Waipahu for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kaneohe ($2,895/mo), Waialua ($2,893/mo), Kailua Kona ($2,877/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.