salaryWaipahu is the 5th-largest city in Hawaii that we track, with 40,482 residents. Rent is higher than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32.5 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $80,360 a year. That is $39 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 13 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waipahu?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waipahu
| Size | Waipahu | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $758 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,263 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,718 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,376 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,609 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waipahu 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 Waipahu, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Waipahu
Life in Waipahu
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waipahu?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,018 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $868,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waipahu, HI?
Renting in Waipahu costs a median of about $2,009 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Waipahu?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $80,360 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waipahu cheap or expensive?
Waipahu is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $112,051. It ranks 13th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waipahu?
The median homeowner in Waipahu pays $2,448 a year in property taxes, about 0.28% of the median home value.
Is Waipahu 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 Waipahu?
The median home value in Waipahu is $868,600, about 7.8 times the typical yearly household income.
40,482 people live in Waipahu. Numbers are typical (middle) values.