salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 15.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 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 54 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wailea?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wailea
| Size | Wailea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,560 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,392 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,621 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wailea 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 Wailea, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Wailea
Life in Wailea
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wailea?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $7,148 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,534,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $153,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wailea, HI?
Renting in Wailea costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Wailea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wailea cheap or expensive?
Wailea is rated Expensive: rent takes 43.3% of the typical household income of $97,065. It ranks 54th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wailea?
The median homeowner in Wailea pays $3,303 a year in property taxes, about 0.22% of the median home value.
Is Wailea 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 Wailea?
The median home value in Wailea is $1,534,800, about 15.8 times the typical yearly household income.
6,352 people live in Wailea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.