1st Advantage MortgageIn Maui County, Hawaii, the typical household earns $97,161 a year and the typical rent is $1,916. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Hawaii before sharing details.
On this page
- Maui County, HI: the basics
- Household income in Maui County
- How Maui County residents earn a living
- Maui County housing compared with Hawaii
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Maui County
- A Maui County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Maui County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Maui County borrowers
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Maui County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Maui County, HI: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Maui County's population at 164,522; only 2 of Hawaii's 5 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 1,162 square miles, that is close to 142 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 30 places in the county (0 incorporated, 30 census-designated); the largest is Kahului, with about 28,288 residents, or 17% of the county.
Household income in Maui County
At $97,161, the typical Maui County household income is 48% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 3rd of 5.
| Households earning | Maui County | +/- vs Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.8% | -0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.5% | +1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.9% | -0.6 pts |
About 16% of households earn under $35,000, while 49% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 9.2%, 1 point lower than the state's 10.0%. A household earning below the $97,161 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Maui County residents earn a living
Arts, lodging and food service employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 18%. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 15% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 70% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Maui County | Difference from Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, lodging and food service | 22.7% | +8.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.7% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.7% | +0.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Maui County housing compared with Hawaii
Renters in Maui County pay a median of $1,916 a month, 3% below the Hawaii figure of $1,971. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $904,700, about 9.3 times the median household income. 66% of Maui County households own their home and 34% rent.
| Home costs | Maui County | Hawaii | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,916/mo | $1,971/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $904,700 | $839,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 57% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 40% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 13% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 35 to 2339 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $73,750 in Kalawao County to $149,091 in Marin County; 4 of these neighbors top Maui County's median. The list crosses into California, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maui County | - | $97,161 | $1,916/mo | 66% |
| Kalawao County, HI | 35 mi | $73,750 | $1,271/mo | 0% |
| Honolulu County, HI | 111 mi | $106,195 | $2,083/mo | 60% |
| Hawaii County, HI | 112 mi | $78,639 | $1,510/mo | 74% |
| Kauai County, HI | 215 mi | $97,668 | $1,870/mo | 69% |
| San Francisco County, CA | 2316 mi | $140,970 | $2,476/mo | 38% |
| Marin County, CA | 2339 mi | $149,091 | $2,668/mo | 65% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Maui County
30 Census places fall mainly inside Maui County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 160,297 residents, leaving about 3% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Mahinahina has the highest median household income on the list ($162,813) and Hana the lowest ($53,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Maui County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 30.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului | CDP | 28,288 | $98,077 | $1,488 | 9 mi |
| Kihei | CDP | 21,567 | $87,772 | $2,045 | 12 mi |
| Wailuku | CDP | 16,926 | $102,942 | $1,762 | 7 mi |
| Waihee-Waiehu | CDP | 10,988 | $126,735 | $2,191 | 8 mi |
| Lahaina | CDP | 10,162 | $88,889 | $1,997 | 5 mi |
| Haiku-Pauwela | CDP | 9,178 | $101,396 | $2,538 | 20 mi |
| Pukalani | CDP | 8,679 | $102,976 | $1,608 | 17 mi |
| Makawao | CDP | 7,353 | $96,444 | $1,908 | 18 mi |
| Napili-Honokowai | CDP | 7,308 | $105,565 | $2,220 | 9 mi |
| Kula | CDP | 6,791 | $100,433 | $2,240 | 18 mi |
| Wailea | CDP | 6,352 | $90,000 | $2,554 | 16 mi |
| Kaunakakai | CDP | 4,360 | $76,131 | $879 | 31 mi |
| Waikapu | CDP | 3,591 | $122,917 | $2,404 | 5 mi |
| Lanai City | CDP | 3,393 | $92,167 | $1,051 | 20 mi |
A Maui County household budget, worked through
Here is the Maui County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $8,097 before taxes
- 24% goes to median rent ($1,916)
- $1,323: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Maui County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Maui County, in numbers
31% of Maui County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 4.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Maui County | All of Hawaii | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | 40.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.0% | 36.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 3.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 8.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.2% | 9.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Maui County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
What the numbers mean for Maui County borrowers
A few patterns in the Maui County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Higher earners. 49% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Rent squeeze. 56% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Maui County borrowers:
- Price the Maui County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Maui County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Maui County resident can confirm its license with the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Hawaii state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Hawaii guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Maui County?
$97,161 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $100,389 for Hawaii. It ranks 3rd of 5 in the state.
Is Maui County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,916 against $1,971 statewide, and 56% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Kahului?
Yes, along with the other 29 Census places in Maui County, such as Kihei, Wailuku, Waihee-Waiehu.
Will a Maui County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Hawaii as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Maui County?
Start with the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.