salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 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 $79,200 a year. That is $38 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 10 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waimea?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waimea
| Size | Waimea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,816 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $453 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,087 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,361 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waimea 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 Waimea, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Waimea
Life in Waimea
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waimea?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,720 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $677,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $67,740 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waimea, HI?
Renting in Waimea costs a median of about $1,980 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Waimea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,200 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waimea cheap or expensive?
Waimea is rated OK: rent takes 22.0% of the typical household income of $108,064. It ranks 10th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waimea?
The median homeowner in Waimea pays $1,782 a year in property taxes, about 0.26% of the median home value.
Is Waimea 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 Waimea?
The median home value in Waimea is $677,400, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
9,286 people live in Waimea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.