Rent Affordability for A Software Developer in Hawaii
A typical software developer in Hawaii earns about $149,159 a year, which supports approximately $3,729 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. 18 of 22 cities tracked stay within the 30% rule; 4 are rent-burdened on this salary.
| City↕ | Median rent↕ | % of income↑ | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo, HI | $2,095/mo | 16.9% | very comfortable |
| Keaau, HI | $2,217/mo | 17.8% | very comfortable |
| Waianae, HI | $2,336/mo | 18.8% | very comfortable |
| Wahiawa, HI | $2,385/mo | 19.2% | very comfortable |
| Pearl City, HI | $2,599/mo | 20.9% | affordable |
| Honolulu, HI | $2,660/mo | 21.4% | affordable |
| Aiea, HI | $2,718/mo | 21.9% | affordable |
| Waipahu, HI | $2,876/mo | 23.1% | affordable |
| Mililani, HI | $3,078/mo | 24.8% | affordable |
| Waikoloa, HI | $3,230/mo | 26% | affordable |
| Lahaina, HI | $3,346/mo | 26.9% | affordable |
| Waialua, HI | $3,407/mo | 27.4% | affordable |
| Kapolei, HI | $3,420/mo | 27.5% | affordable |
| Kailua Kona, HI | $3,433/mo | 27.6% | affordable |
| Haiku, HI | $3,525/mo | 28.4% | affordable |
| Kaneohe, HI | $3,558/mo | 28.6% | affordable |
| Ewa Beach, HI | $3,572/mo | 28.7% | affordable |
| Wailuku, HI | $3,691/mo | 29.7% | affordable |
| Kihei, HI | $3,766/mo | 30.3% | stretched |
| Makawao, HI | $3,808/mo | 30.6% | stretched |
| Kailua, HI | $4,006/mo | 32.2% | stretched |
| Haleiwa, HI | $4,369/mo | 35.1% | stretched |