salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $131,000 a year. That is $63 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 44 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wailuku?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wailuku
| Size | Wailuku | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,466 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,293 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,129 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,458 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wailuku overall?
Everyday prices in the Kahului-Wailuku metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 109.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wailuku
Life in Wailuku
What jobs pay in Wailuku
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,210 | 23.9% |
| Pharmacist | $160,440 | 24.5% |
| Lawyer | $148,370 | 26.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $144,350 | 27.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,960 | 29.1% |
| Software Developer | $133,870 | 29.4% |
| Operations Manager | $108,010 | 36.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,080 | 37.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,530 | 38.7% |
| Electrician | $98,480 | 39.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,830 | 44.7% |
| Police Officer | $83,790 | 46.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $82,550 | 47.6% |
| Carpenter | $82,110 | 47.9% |
| Accountant | $78,630 | 50.0% |
| Plumber | $77,610 | 50.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $74,720 | 52.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,650 | 54.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $71,830 | 54.7% |
| Truck Driver | $63,420 | 62.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $51,200 | 76.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,750 | 79.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $49,560 | 79.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | 82.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,490 | 82.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $42,220 | 93.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $39,630 | 99.2% |
| Cashier | $39,010 | 100.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wailuku?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,662 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $855,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $85,570 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wailuku, HI?
Renting in Wailuku costs a median of about $3,275 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Wailuku?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $131,000 a year, or $63 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wailuku cheap or expensive?
Wailuku is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.4% of the typical household income of $111,023. It ranks 44th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wailuku?
The median homeowner in Wailuku pays $1,251 a year in property taxes, about 0.15% of the median home value.
Is Wailuku more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wailuku?
The median home value in Wailuku is $855,700, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
16,926 people live in Wailuku. Numbers are typical (middle) values.