salaryRent is higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.1 minutes. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $99,200 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Hawaii. It is number 28 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laie?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laie
| Size | Laie | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,261 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,810 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,484 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,459 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laie 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 Laie, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laie
Life in Laie
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laie?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,048 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $940,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $94,080 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laie, HI?
Renting in Laie costs a median of about $2,480 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Laie?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $99,200 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laie cheap or expensive?
Laie is rated OK: rent takes 22.0% of the typical household income of $135,030. It ranks 28th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laie?
The median homeowner in Laie pays $3,491 a year in property taxes, about 0.37% of the median home value.
Is Laie 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 Laie?
The median home value in Laie is $940,800, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
5,699 people live in Laie. Numbers are typical (middle) values.