Median household income in Hawaii is $100,389 and median rent is $1,971 a month, per Census 2020 to 2024 estimates. Compare at least three written offers on APR and total cost, verify the lender's license with the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, and never pay a fee before funding.
On this page
- Hawaii by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Hawaii borrowers
- Largest places in Hawaii
- Other sizable places in Hawaii
- Counties with the most residents
- How Hawaii earns a living
- More context for Hawaii budgets
- Checking a lender in Hawaii
- Can Hawaii residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Hawaii
- Frequently asked questions
Hawaii by the numbers
The table compares Hawaii with the United States on sixteen measures that shape household budgets, and ranks it against the other states and the District of Columbia. All figures are American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates.
| What we measured | Hawaii | Nation | Rank of 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $100,389 | $80,734 | 5th |
| Homeownership rate | 63% | 65% | 44th |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 40% | 28% | 1st |
| Years of median income to buy the median home | 8.4x | 4.1x | 1st |
| Workers commuting 45+ minutes | 17% | 17% | 15th |
| Working from home | 10% | 15% | 43rd |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree | 36% | 36% | 19th |
| Median age | 40.9 | 38.9 | 9th |
| Income inequality (Gini index) | 0.451 | 0.483 | 43rd |
| Households earning under $35,000 | 16% | 21% | 49th |
| Share of households at $100,000+ | 50% | 41% | 5th |
| People below the poverty line | 10.0% | 12.5% | 41st |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 4.9% | 5.2% | 25th |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,971 | $1,413 | 2nd |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 57% | 51% | 2nd |
| Home value, median | $839,100 | $332,700 | 1st |
What the numbers mean for Hawaii borrowers
Incomes are spread unevenly: 16% of Hawaii households earn under $35,000 (U.S.: 21%), while 50% earn $100,000 or more (U.S.: 41%) and 18% top $200,000. Because partners generally need $30,000 or more in yearly income, the questionnaire states that floor on the income step instead of surprising anyone at the end.
Hawaii's median household income is $100,389, 5th of 51 and 24% above the U.S. figure of $80,734. Medians describe the middle household, not yours, so test any payment against your own take-home pay.
A Hawaii renter pays $1,971 a month at the median, and 57% of renters carry a rent burden of 30 percent or more, above the 51% U.S. rate. For a renter, the safest loan is the smallest one that fixes the problem, sized to what is left after rent.
Poverty affects 10.0% of Hawaii residents (U.S. 12.5%), and the five-year average unemployment rate was 4.9%. If your job is seasonal or hourly, lenders may ask for more months of statements to see a steady pattern.
Largest places in Hawaii
Big-city snapshot for Hawaii, ranked by population; a linked name means a full local guide is available.
| Community | County | Residents | Median income | Rent (median) | Typical home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | Honolulu County | 345,482 | $86,504 | $1,823 | $843,400 |
| East Honolulu | Honolulu County | 51,360 | $159,518 | $3,313 | $1,212,000 |
| Hilo | Hawaii County | 50,404 | $81,779 | $1,427 | $483,000 |
| Pearl City | Honolulu County | 44,547 | $118,112 | $2,316 | $901,500 |
| Waipahu | Honolulu County | 40,482 | $103,895 | $1,658 | $868,600 |
| Kailua | Honolulu County | 39,640 | $148,582 | $3,093 | $1,353,700 |
| Kaneohe | Honolulu County | 37,355 | $125,613 | $2,269 | $1,029,700 |
| Kahului | Maui County | 28,288 | $98,077 | $1,488 | $862,600 |
| Mililani Town | Honolulu County | 27,668 | $127,363 | $2,384 | $923,900 |
| Ewa Gentry | Honolulu County | 26,563 | $135,684 | $2,580 | $816,000 |
| Kapolei | Honolulu County | 22,232 | $128,324 | $2,311 | $744,200 |
| Kailua | Hawaii County | 21,818 | $88,211 | $1,754 | $667,400 |
Counting places of 20,000 or more people, median household income in Hawaii tops out at $159,518 in East Honolulu and bottoms out at $81,779 in Hilo. The state has 3 places over 50,000 and 34 over 10,000. Median rent in that group ranges from $1,427 in Hilo to $3,313 in East Honolulu.
Other sizable places in Hawaii
Continuing down the population list from Kihei to Waipio.
| Community | Population | Median household income | Rent (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | $2,045 |
| Mililani Mauka | 21,278 | $138,942 | $2,350 |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | $2,276 |
| Wahiawa | 17,996 | $87,143 | $1,546 |
| Ocean Pointe | 17,085 | $149,767 | $3,424 |
| Wailuku | 16,926 | $102,942 | $1,762 |
| Schofield Barracks | 16,270 | $80,388 | $3,230 |
| Halawa | 14,385 | $110,400 | $1,739 |
| Ewa Beach | 14,376 | $124,323 | $2,522 |
| Royal Kunia | 13,555 | $135,361 | $2,921 |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,203 | $88,348 | $1,310 |
| Waimalu | 13,061 | $89,232 | $1,931 |
| Waianae | 12,918 | $81,733 | $1,277 |
| Nanakuli | 12,383 | $86,597 | $1,690 |
| Maili | 11,570 | $111,542 | $2,420 |
| Kaiminani | 11,465 | $110,560 | $1,202 |
| Kapaa | 11,094 | $89,477 | $2,020 |
| Waihee-Waiehu | 10,988 | $126,735 | $2,191 |
| Kaneohe Base | 10,919 | $69,418 | $3,410 |
| Waipio | 10,870 | $109,877 | $2,219 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Kaneohe Base (59%) and least in Kaiminani (13%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
Of 5 counties in Hawaii, these 5 have the most people.
| County | Population | Median household income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | 1,001,146 | $106,195 | $2,083 | $897,500 |
| Hawaii County | 205,769 | $78,639 | $1,510 | $519,300 |
| Maui County | 164,522 | $97,161 | $1,916 | $904,700 |
| Kauai County | 73,731 | $97,668 | $1,870 | $873,200 |
| Kalawao County | 67 | $73,750 | $1,271 | n/a |
The county income gap: $106,195 at the top in Honolulu County, $73,750 at the bottom in Kalawao County. That spread is a reminder to size a payment to your own budget, not to a state average.
How Hawaii earns a living
The jobs mix in Hawaii: the four largest industries by share of employed residents 16 and older.
| Industry | Share of Hawaii workers | U.S. share | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 23% | 24% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service | 15% | 9% | +6.1 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 11% | 13% | -1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11% | 11% | -0.1 pts |
Relative to the nation, arts, entertainment, lodging and food service is overrepresented in Hawaii (15% vs 9%). Pay rhythm differs by industry. Shift and seasonal work swings month to month, so size a payment to your slowest normal month.
More context for Hawaii budgets
With a median age of 40.9 and 36% of adults holding a four-year degree, Hawaii has a Gini inequality index of 0.451, ranking 43rd from most to least unequal.
About 63% of Hawaii homes are owner-occupied (44th of 51; U.S. 65%), and the median home is valued at $839,100, or 8.4 times the median household income. 40% of mortgaged owners are housing-cost burdened, versus 28% nationally. Owners can also compare a home-equity line against a personal loan, keeping in mind that equity borrowing puts the house at risk.
On commuting, Hawaii ranks 15th: 17% of workers need 45 minutes or more to get to work (U.S. 17%). Where commutes are long, a car repair is often the emergency that sends people looking for a loan; see our auto repair guide.
Checking a lender in Hawaii
Any lender offering loans in Hawaii should be able to show a license or a bank charter. For state-level questions, the CSBS directory points to the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions.
- Never pay a fee before the money arrives; the FTC calls that an advance-fee loan scam.
- File any complaint with the state agency, or with the CFPB.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
Can Hawaii residents use the questionnaire?
Coverage is added state by state. A Hawaii resident who picks the state on step two learns immediately whether a partner is available, and can join the waitlist if not.
Local guides in Hawaii
City-level guides for Hawaii (1 so far):
Frequently asked questions
Which agency licenses lenders in Hawaii?
Start with the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Hawaii's banking agency in the CSBS directory. Many lenders' state licenses also appear on NMLS Consumer Access, and the CFPB takes complaints nationwide.
How much does a typical Hawaii household earn?
$100,389 a year in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, 5th among the 50 states and DC; the national median is $80,734.
How much do Hawaii renters pay?
$1,971 a month at the median, 2nd of 51. 57% of Hawaii renters are cost-burdened, against 51% nationwide.
How many Hawaii residents live below the poverty line?
10.0% in the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 estimates, compared with 12.5% nationally. Households under strain should look at free options, such as hardship plans and nonprofit counseling, before a loan.