salaryRent is higher than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.2 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 $86,320 a year. That is $42 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 20 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waimalu?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waimalu
| Size | Waimalu | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,744 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,913 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,227 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,630 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,009 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waimalu 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 Waimalu, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Waimalu
Life in Waimalu
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waimalu?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,990 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $597,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $59,780 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waimalu, HI?
Renting in Waimalu costs a median of about $2,158 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Waimalu?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,320 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waimalu cheap or expensive?
Waimalu is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $96,237. It ranks 20th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waimalu?
The median homeowner in Waimalu pays $1,522 a year in property taxes, about 0.25% of the median home value.
Is Waimalu 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 Waimalu?
The median home value in Waimalu is $597,800, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
13,061 people live in Waimalu. Numbers are typical (middle) values.