Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Makawao, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 122.9% of gross income.
Makawao rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii state estimate).
About rent and a waiter or waitress salary
Declared server pay (base plus reported tips) sits below the rent threshold needed for a one-bedroom apartment in most US cities, which is why the server workforce tends to live in shared housing. Actual tip income varies widely and can push real take-home well above the BLS figure, particularly in fine-dining and high-volume restaurants. At the national-average declared server salary, the 30% rule supports about $913 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Makawao, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Makawao
View full rent data for Makawao, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Makawao, HI?
Median rent in Makawao is $4,039 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Hawaii earns about $39,452 a year, which makes that rent 122.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a waiter or waitress afford in Makawao?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Hawaii (~$39,452/yr) supports up to $986 a month in rent. Makawao's current median rent is $4,039/mo, which is $3,053/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Makawao?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Hawaii works roughly 212.9 hours a month to cover Makawao's median rent of $4,039.
Where is rent cheaper than Makawao for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kailua ($4,015/mo), Kailua ($4,006/mo), Lahaina ($3,974/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.