salaryEast Honolulu is the 2nd-largest city in Hawaii that we track, with 51,360 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 94% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.9 minutes each way. Most homes (84.5%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 59.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Hawaii. It is number 48 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in East Honolulu?
Share of households by yearly income. 60.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in East Honolulu
| Size | East Honolulu | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,479 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,366 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,327 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,637 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is East Honolulu overall?
Everyday prices in Hawaii overall are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for East Honolulu, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in East Honolulu
Life in East Honolulu
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in East Honolulu?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,909 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,212,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $121,200 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in East Honolulu, HI?
Renting in East Honolulu costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in East Honolulu?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is East Honolulu cheap or expensive?
East Honolulu is rated OK: rent takes 24.4% of the typical household income of $172,040. It ranks 48th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in East Honolulu?
The median homeowner in East Honolulu pays $3,688 a year in property taxes, about 0.30% of the median home value.
Is East Honolulu more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Hawaii are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in East Honolulu?
The median home value in East Honolulu is $1,212,000, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
51,360 people live in East Honolulu. Numbers are typical (middle) values.