salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $106,200 a year. That is $51 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 34 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kahaluu?
Share of households by yearly income. 55.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kahaluu
| Size | Kahaluu | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,995 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,839 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,374 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kahaluu 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 Kahaluu, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Kahaluu
Life in Kahaluu
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kahaluu?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,764 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,213,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $121,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kahaluu, HI?
Renting in Kahaluu costs a median of about $2,655 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Kahaluu?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $106,200 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kahaluu cheap or expensive?
Kahaluu is rated OK: rent takes 20.8% of the typical household income of $153,196. It ranks 34th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kahaluu?
The median homeowner in Kahaluu pays $3,448 a year in property taxes, about 0.28% of the median home value.
Is Kahaluu 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 Kahaluu?
The median home value in Kahaluu is $1,213,400, about 7.9 times the typical yearly household income.
5,619 people live in Kahaluu. Numbers are typical (middle) values.