Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Koloa?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Koloa, you need to earn at least $69,480/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $72,143, which means the typical resident is $2,663 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 2,281

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,216	$4,053	$48,640	$-23,503
1 Bedroom	$1,442	$4,807	$57,680	$-14,463
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,737	$5,790	$69,480	$-2,663
3 Bedroom	$2,119	$7,063	$84,760	+$12,617
4 Bedroom	$2,606	$8,687	$104,240	+$32,097

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Koloa's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$72,143

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$69,480

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,663

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.9%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Koloa

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Koloa's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,804

Studio

$1,216/mo

1 BR

$1,442/mo

2 BR

$1,737/mo

3 BR

$2,119/mo

4 BR

$2,606/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Koloa.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Koloa's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Koloa

Koloa is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,663. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,442/month) or studio ($1,216/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Koloa pushes the required income to $84,760.

For comfortable living in Koloa without financial stress, target a household income of at least $104,220 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Hawaii's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Koloa, Hawaii.

With a total population of 2,281, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,026 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $69,480 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,026

Active civilian employees in Koloa

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Koloa

What salary do I need to live in Koloa, Hawaii?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Koloa under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $69,480. The median household income in Koloa is $72,143.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Koloa on $72,143?

The affordability verdict for Koloa is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.9%, meaning median earners have a $2,663 surplus.

What is the average rent in Koloa compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Koloa is $1,442/month. With a median household income of $72,143, residents spend approximately 28.9% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Koloa?

A studio in Koloa rents for approximately $1,216/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $48,640 to afford this.

Is Koloa considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,663 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Koloa is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $69,480 to the local median household income.

How Koloa Compares

Other cities in Hawaii with salary requirements