Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$106,195$8,850 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Honolulu County, HI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Honolulu County, HI
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Urban Honolulu, HI MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,877 | $22,524 | $75,080 | 21.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,016 | $24,192 | $80,640 | 22.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,642 | $31,704 | $105,680 | 29.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $3,674 | $44,088 | $146,960 | 41.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $4,432 | $53,184 | $177,280 | 50.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Honolulu County, HI
Based on the local median household income of $106,195/year ($8,850/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Hawaii
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Hawaii state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Hawaii with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Honolulu County, HI
What is the median household income in Honolulu County, HI?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Honolulu County, HI is $106,195 per year (approximately $8,850 per month).
What is the average rent in Honolulu County, HI?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Honolulu County, HI are $1,877 for a studio, $2,016 for 1 bedroom, $2,642 for 2 bedrooms, $3,674 for 3 bedrooms, and $4,432 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Honolulu County, HI compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Honolulu County, HI is 111.0 (11% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Honolulu County, HI?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,642/month) in Honolulu County, HI requires a minimum gross household income of $105,680 per year ($8,807 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Honolulu County, HI?
For a typical household earning the median income of $106,195/year ($8,850/month) in Honolulu County, HI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,425/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,655/month to discretionary spending, and $1,770/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Honolulu County, HI?
Residential electricity rates in Hawaii average 52.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $474 per month.