To take home four times the typical rent, a full-time job in Hawaii needs to pay from $52.73 an hour in Hawaii County to $72.35 in Maui County, before taxes. The middle county is Kauai County at $59.50.
| County | Pay needed | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii County | $52.73/hr | $1,545/mo |
| Honolulu County | $68.63/hr | $1,940/mo |
| Kalawao County | $55.76/hr | $1,621/mo |
| Kauai County | $59.50/hr | $1,715/mo |
| Maui County | $72.35/hr | $2,030/mo |
The Four Times Rent standard: a month of full-time work (160 hours) should take home at least four times the typical rent on a studio apartment in the county where the work is done. Rents: HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents. Taxes: 2026 federal, state and local income taxes plus Social Security and Medicare, for a single filer. Why four times rent?