Hawaii · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Maui County, HI

The median household in Maui County, HI earns $97,161 a year ($8,097/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $2,624/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $104,960 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.4% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$97,161$8,097 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$2,624HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)109.4+9.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate52.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential HI
Census Population164,522Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Maui County, HI

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,624Monthly market rent
Share of gross income32.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$104,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,429At 30% of $97,161
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Maui County, HI

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Maui County, HI
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,896$22,752$75,84023.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,000$24,000$80,00024.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,624$31,488$104,96032.4%
3-Bedroom Home$3,398$40,776$135,92042%
4-Bedroom Home$4,236$50,832$169,44052.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Maui County, HI →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Maui County, HI

Based on the local median household income of $97,161/year ($8,097/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$4,048/moRent ($2,624 2-BR), utilities (~$474/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,429/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 109.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,619/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$97,161
$35,000$195,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$97,161
Net 74%
Fed 13%
HI 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$71,602After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,967Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,754Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,545 / yr
Hawaii state income tax$5,580 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,433 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Hawaii with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Maui County, HI

What is the median household income in Maui County, HI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Maui County, HI is $97,161 per year (approximately $8,097 per month).

What is the average rent in Maui County, HI?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Maui County, HI are $1,896 for a studio, $2,000 for 1 bedroom, $2,624 for 2 bedrooms, $3,398 for 3 bedrooms, and $4,236 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Maui County, HI compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Maui County, HI is 109.4 (9.4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Maui County, HI?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,624/month) in Maui County, HI requires a minimum gross household income of $104,960 per year ($8,747 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Maui County, HI?

For a typical household earning the median income of $97,161/year ($8,097/month) in Maui County, HI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,048/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,429/month to discretionary spending, and $1,619/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Maui 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.