Rent Affordability for A Waiter or Waitress in Hawaii
A typical waiter or waitress in Hawaii earns about $39,452 a year, which supports approximately $986 a month in rent under the 30% rule. Below, every tracked Hawaii city is ranked by how local rent compares against that affordability ceiling.
As of May 2026. 0 of 22 cities tracked stay within the 30% rule; 22 are rent-burdened on this salary.
| City↕ | Median rent↕ | % of income↑ | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo, HI | $2,088/mo | 63.5% | severely rent-burdened |
| Waianae, HI | $2,339/mo | 71.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Wahiawa, HI | $2,440/mo | 74.2% | severely rent-burdened |
| Keaau, HI | $2,465/mo | 75% | severely rent-burdened |
| Pearl City, HI | $2,591/mo | 78.8% | severely rent-burdened |
| Honolulu, HI | $2,678/mo | 81.5% | severely rent-burdened |
| Aiea, HI | $2,758/mo | 83.9% | severely rent-burdened |
| Waialua, HI | $2,893/mo | 88% | severely rent-burdened |
| Waipahu, HI | $2,897/mo | 88.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kailua Kona, HI | $2,961/mo | 90.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Mililani, HI | $3,078/mo | 93.6% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kihei, HI | $3,182/mo | 96.8% | severely rent-burdened |
| Lahaina, HI | $3,202/mo | 97.4% | severely rent-burdened |
| Haleiwa, HI | $3,206/mo | 97.5% | severely rent-burdened |
| Waikoloa, HI | $3,230/mo | 98.2% | severely rent-burdened |
| Wailuku, HI | $3,288/mo | 100% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kapolei, HI | $3,494/mo | 106.3% | severely rent-burdened |
| Ewa Beach, HI | $3,547/mo | 107.9% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kaneohe, HI | $3,593/mo | 109.3% | severely rent-burdened |
| Haiku, HI | $3,725/mo | 113.3% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kailua, HI | $4,015/mo | 122.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Makawao, HI | $4,039/mo | 122.9% | severely rent-burdened |