The Hawaii rental market
Hawaii tracks median rent across 21 cities, ranging from Keaau at $2,067/mo to Kailua at $3,753/mo. The state average of $2,984/mo runs about 54% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Hawaii cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +5.8% over the past year. 22 of 22 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 0 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Hilo, Pearl City, Waipahu.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 1 of 21 Hawaii cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
6 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Kaneohe ($3,645/mo) costs 1.7 times as much as Hilo ($2,129/mo).
Across 8 Hawaii cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in January and peak in June, a typical swing of 1.1%.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Hawaii cities, as of September 2026.
Hawaii rent questions
What is the average rent in Hawaii?
The average median rent across 21 tracked cities in Hawaii is $2,984/mo, about 54% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Hawaii city has the highest rent?
Kailua has the highest median rent in Hawaii at $3,753/mo.
Which Hawaii city has the most affordable rent?
Keaau is the most affordable tracked city in Hawaii, with a median rent of $2,067/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Hawaii?
Across Hawaii cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +5.8% over the past year.
How does Hawaii rent compare to the rest of the country?
22 of 22 tracked Hawaii cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 0 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Hawaii?
By population, the largest rental markets in Hawaii are Hilo, Pearl City, Waipahu. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.