Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$97,668$8,139 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Kauai County, HI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kauai County, HI
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kauai County, HI. 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 | $1,766 | $21,192 | $70,640 | 21.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,777 | $21,324 | $71,080 | 21.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,332 | $27,984 | $93,280 | 28.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,866 | $34,392 | $114,640 | 35.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,179 | $38,148 | $127,160 | 39.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Kauai County, HI
Based on the local median household income of $97,668/year ($8,139/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 Kauai County, HI
What is the median household income in Kauai County, HI?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kauai County, HI is $97,668 per year (approximately $8,139 per month).
What is the average rent in Kauai County, HI?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kauai County, HI are $1,766 for a studio, $1,777 for 1 bedroom, $2,332 for 2 bedrooms, $2,866 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,179 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Kauai County, HI compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kauai County, HI is 110.0 (10% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kauai County, HI?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,332/month) in Kauai County, HI requires a minimum gross household income of $93,280 per year ($7,773 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kauai County, HI?
For a typical household earning the median income of $97,668/year ($8,139/month) in Kauai County, HI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,070/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,442/month to discretionary spending, and $1,628/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kauai 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.