ZIP Code · HI

ZIP 96797

Part of Waipahu, HI

Pop. 72,435·Honolulu County·18th most expensive ZIP in Hawaii

Median rent (all units)

$2,892/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

+$960

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 96797 · $2,892

More expensive than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,730

1 BR

$1,850

2 BR

$2,430

3 BR

$3,380

4 BR+

$4,080

Research median

$2,430/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

Cheapest month to sign

December. Asking rents in ZIP 96797 usually run 1.1% below trend in December and 0.8% above it in July, about $55 a month apart at today's median. Based on 9 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 96797 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2017.

Past year vs. the rest of Hawaii

Rent in ZIP 96797 changed +6.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 23 Hawaii ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 96797 rose 31.2% while median household income rose 23.2% ($93,034 to $114,654). Rent outpaced income.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 96797 is 47% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 11 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($114,654) is $2,866 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,430); a 3-bedroom is $3,380.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 96782, 3 miles away, rents for 16% less ($2,422/mo), about $5,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 96797. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$34,704/yr

At $2,892/mo median

Location

CityWaipahu

StateHI

CountyHonolulu County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.0% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 96797 (Waipahu, HI) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 26% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

72,435

Median income

$114,654

Median age

Renters

32.7%

Age distribution

19.6%

22.8%

23.1%

13.9%

20.5%

Under 1819.6%

18–3422.8%

35–5423.1%

55–6413.9%

65+20.5%

Gender

48.9%

51.1%

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

Race & ethnicity

64.9%

22.8%

White4.5%

Black1.3%

Hispanic6.5%

Asian64.9%

Other22.8%

Education (25+)

29.3%

34.8%

26%

No HS diploma10%

HS diploma29.3%

Some college34.8%

Bachelor's+26%

Housing tenure

67.3%

32.7%

Owner67.3%

Renter32.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 96797 in Waipahu, HI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,980 → $2,892

up 46.1%

Income

$97,875 → $114,654

up 17.1%

Population

72,943 → 72,435

down 0.7%

Renter share

32.6% → 32.7%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

24.9% → 26%

+1.1 pts

Median age

39.9 → 42

+2.1 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 96797 in Waipahu, HI has increased from $1,980 to $2,892, a 46.1% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $97,875 in 2021 to $114,654 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 96797 in Waipahu, HI market of 2021.

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About renting in ZIP 96797

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 96797 covers Waipahu, HI. The median rent here is $2,892/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,850/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,430/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($114,654/yr), ZIP 96797 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 96797?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (about $56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,892/mo in ZIP 96797. The local median household income is $114,654/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 96797?

Rent in ZIP 96797 has risen 6.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2017.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 96797?

Asking rents in ZIP 96797 are usually lowest in December, about 1.1% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 0.8% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $55 a month. This pattern comes from 9 years of Zillow rent data.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 96797?

Yes. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 96797 rose 31.2% while median household income rose 23.2%, from $93,034 to $114,654. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 96797 compare to other ZIPs in Hawaii?

ZIP 96797 is in the middle among Hawaii ZIP codes for rent, ranking #18 of 30 at $2,892/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 96797 changed +6.1%, against a typical +5.3% across the 23 Hawaii ZIP codes Zillow tracks.