salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32.8 minutes each way. Most homes (77.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $120,400 a year. That is $58 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 40 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Makakilo?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Makakilo
| Size | Makakilo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,215 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,120 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,224 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,424 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Makakilo 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 Makakilo, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Makakilo
Life in Makakilo
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Makakilo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,007 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $867,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,720 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Makakilo, HI?
Renting in Makakilo costs a median of about $3,010 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Makakilo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $120,400 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Makakilo cheap or expensive?
Makakilo is rated OK: rent takes 28.3% of the typical household income of $127,856. It ranks 40th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Makakilo?
The median homeowner in Makakilo pays $2,360 a year in property taxes, about 0.27% of the median home value.
Is Makakilo 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 Makakilo?
The median home value in Makakilo is $867,200, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
20,735 people live in Makakilo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.