salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 8.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $112,400 a year. That is $54 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 37 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kahului?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kahului
| Size | Kahului | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,004 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,098 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,777 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,999 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,662 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kahului overall?
Everyday prices in the Kahului-Wailuku metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 109.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Kahului
Life in Kahului
What jobs pay in Kahului
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,210 | 20.5% |
| Pharmacist | $160,440 | 21.0% |
| Lawyer | $148,370 | 22.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $144,350 | 23.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,960 | 25.0% |
| Software Developer | $133,870 | 25.2% |
| Operations Manager | $108,010 | 31.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,080 | 32.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,530 | 33.2% |
| Electrician | $98,480 | 34.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,830 | 38.4% |
| Police Officer | $83,790 | 40.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $82,550 | 40.8% |
| Carpenter | $82,110 | 41.1% |
| Accountant | $78,630 | 42.9% |
| Plumber | $77,610 | 43.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $74,720 | 45.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,650 | 46.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $71,830 | 46.9% |
| Truck Driver | $63,420 | 53.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $51,200 | 65.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,750 | 67.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $49,560 | 68.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | 70.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,490 | 71.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $42,220 | 79.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $39,630 | 85.1% |
| Cashier | $39,010 | 86.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kahului?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,175 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $862,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kahului, HI?
Renting in Kahului costs a median of about $2,810 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Kahului?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $112,400 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kahului cheap or expensive?
Kahului is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.9% of the typical household income of $105,776. It ranks 37th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kahului?
The median homeowner in Kahului pays $1,352 a year in property taxes, about 0.16% of the median home value.
Is Kahului more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kahului?
The median home value in Kahului is $862,600, about 8.2 times the typical yearly household income.
28,288 people live in Kahului. Numbers are typical (middle) values.