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. 21 of 22 cities tracked stay within the 30% rule; 1 are rent-burdened on this salary.
| City↕ | Median rent↕ | % of income↑ | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keaau, HI | $2,067/mo | 16.6% | very comfortable |
| Hilo, HI | $2,129/mo | 17.1% | very comfortable |
| Waianae, HI | $2,185/mo | 17.6% | very comfortable |
| Wahiawa, HI | $2,332/mo | 18.8% | very comfortable |
| Pearl City, HI | $2,422/mo | 19.5% | very comfortable |
| Honolulu, HI | $2,715/mo | 21.8% | affordable |
| Aiea, HI | $2,814/mo | 22.6% | affordable |
| Waipahu, HI | $2,892/mo | 23.3% | affordable |
| Mililani, HI | $2,903/mo | 23.4% | affordable |
| Kailua Kona, HI | $2,947/mo | 23.7% | affordable |
| Waialua, HI | $3,039/mo | 24.4% | affordable |
| Kihei, HI | $3,092/mo | 24.9% | affordable |
| Waikoloa, HI | $3,200/mo | 25.7% | affordable |
| Wailuku, HI | $3,202/mo | 25.8% | affordable |
| Lahaina, HI | $3,292/mo | 26.5% | affordable |
| Makawao, HI | $3,333/mo | 26.8% | affordable |
| Ewa Beach, HI | $3,513/mo | 28.3% | affordable |
| Haiku, HI | $3,525/mo | 28.4% | affordable |
| Kapolei, HI | $3,547/mo | 28.5% | affordable |
| Kaneohe, HI | $3,645/mo | 29.3% | affordable |
| Haleiwa, HI | $3,648/mo | 29.3% | affordable |
| Kailua, HI | $3,753/mo | 30.2% | stretched |