salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.7 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,360 a year. That is $29 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 5 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wahiawa?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wahiawa
| Size | Wahiawa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,078 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,762 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,600 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wahiawa 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 Wahiawa, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Wahiawa
Life in Wahiawa
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wahiawa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,110 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $806,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $80,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wahiawa, HI?
Renting in Wahiawa costs a median of about $1,484 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Wahiawa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,360 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wahiawa cheap or expensive?
Wahiawa is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.9% of the typical household income of $93,984. It ranks 5th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wahiawa?
The median homeowner in Wahiawa pays $2,122 a year in property taxes, about 0.26% of the median home value.
Is Wahiawa 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 Wahiawa?
The median home value in Wahiawa is $806,200, about 8.6 times the typical yearly household income.
17,996 people live in Wahiawa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.