ZIP Code · HI

ZIP 96738

Part of Waikoloa, HI

Pop. 7,862·Hawaii County·10th most expensive ZIP in Hawaii

Median rent (all units)

$3,200/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+3.2%

vs US Median

+$1,268

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 96738 · $3,200

More expensive than 93% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,170

1 BR

$2,180

2 BR

$2,830

3 BR

$3,570

4 BR+

$4,120

Research median

$2,830/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($80,928) is $2,023 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($2,170).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 96738. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$38,400/yr

At $3,200/mo median

Location

CityWaikoloa

StateHI

CountyHawaii County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 96738 (Waikoloa, HI) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 32.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

7,862

Median income

$80,928

Median age

40.3

Renters

30.2%

Age distribution

25.2%

17.8%

23.7%

22.1%

Under 1825.2%

18–3417.8%

35–5423.7%

55–6411.1%

65+22.1%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

43.5%

35.5%

White43.5%

Black1.9%

Hispanic8.4%

Asian10.8%

Other35.5%

Education (25+)

29.8%

34.9%

32.5%

No HS diploma2.9%

HS diploma29.8%

Some college34.9%

Bachelor's+32.5%

Housing tenure

69.8%

30.2%

Owner69.8%

Renter30.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 96738 in Waikoloa, HI has changed in 5 years

Income

$84,063 → $80,928

down 3.7%

Population

7,899 → 7,862

down 0.5%

Renter share

29.9% → 30.2%

+0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

29.8% → 32.5%

+2.7 pts

Median age

39.3 → 40.3

+1.0 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $84,063 in 2021 to $80,928 more recently. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.8% to 32.5%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 96738

About renting in ZIP 96738

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 96738 covers Waikoloa, HI. The median rent here is $3,200/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,180/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,830/mo.

At 47% of local median household income ($80,928/yr), ZIP 96738 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 96738?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $128,000/year (about $62/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,200/mo in ZIP 96738. The local median household income is $80,928/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.