salaryUrban Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii that we track, with 345,482 residents. Rent is higher than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.0 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 $89,040 a year. That is $43 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 22 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Urban Honolulu with other big cities
Compare Urban Honolulu to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Urban Honolulu?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Urban Honolulu
| Size | Urban Honolulu | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,533 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,723 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,132 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,608 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,545 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Urban Honolulu overall?
Everyday prices in the Urban Honolulu metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 111.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Urban Honolulu
Life in Urban Honolulu
What jobs pay in Urban Honolulu
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $170,060 | 15.7% |
| Pharmacist | $165,090 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $139,260 | 19.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,570 | 19.7% |
| Lawyer | $120,870 | 22.1% |
| Software Developer | $120,230 | 22.2% |
| Operations Manager | $113,940 | 23.4% |
| Electrician | $100,270 | 26.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,440 | 27.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,600 | 28.2% |
| Carpenter | $94,310 | 28.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,980 | 29.4% |
| Police Officer | $83,820 | 31.9% |
| Plumber | $81,120 | 32.9% |
| Accountant | $74,990 | 35.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,080 | 36.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,840 | 37.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,450 | 40.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,990 | 42.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $60,250 | 44.3% |
| Truck Driver | $59,330 | 45.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,720 | 56.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,260 | 59.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,630 | 59.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,120 | 60.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,450 | 62.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,400 | 71.4% |
| Cashier | $35,930 | 74.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Urban Honolulu?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,626 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $843,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $84,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Urban Honolulu, HI?
Renting in Urban Honolulu costs a median of about $2,226 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Urban Honolulu?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $89,040 a year, or $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Urban Honolulu cheap or expensive?
Urban Honolulu is rated OK: rent takes 28.6% of the typical household income of $93,295. It ranks 22nd cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Urban Honolulu?
The median homeowner in Urban Honolulu pays $2,491 a year in property taxes, about 0.30% of the median home value.
Is Urban Honolulu more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Urban Honolulu?
The median home value in Urban Honolulu is $843,400, about 9.0 times the typical yearly household income.
345,482 people live in Urban Honolulu. Numbers are typical (middle) values.