The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kahului ranges from $1,750 to $1,950. The median is around $1,850.

Within Maui, this is lower than resort areas like Kaanapali or Wailea, but higher than most major cities on the mainland.

There is a clear difference in rental prices between downtown Kahului and nearby Wailuku and Kihei. New units near Kahului Airport or in the city center often exceed $2,000, but just a short distance toward Wailuku, you can find listings in the $1,600 range. This is clear: in Maui, coastal accessibility is a crucial factor in determining rent.

Studios range from $1,400 to $1,550, while 2-bedroom apartments are priced between $2,100 and $2,400. Due to the island's characteristics, supply is extremely limited, resulting in very low vacancy rates regardless of size.

Over the past year, rental trends have been on the rise, increasing by about 3% to 5%. This is attributed to the surge in housing demand following the Lahaina wildfire in 2023, which has not yet fully subsided. The demand for rentals from displaced individuals appears to be exerting continuous upward pressure on the rental market across Maui.

Compared to nearby cities, Kahului is more affordable than resort areas within Maui, but it can be similar to or even higher than Honolulu on Oahu. This is a clear fact. Overall, Maui's rental burden ranks among the highest in Hawaii.

While there isn't a large concentration of Korean residents in Maui, small Korean households reside in the border area between Wailuku and Kahului, forming a community. Access to Korean markets and restaurants is significantly more limited compared to Oahu.

Korean households should first recognize that the rental burden in Maui is quite substantial. If you work in tourism or service industries, it is advisable to carefully calculate the rent-to-income ratio. The Wailuku area seems to offer the best balance of rental costs and convenience compared to downtown Kahului.

Before signing a lease, be sure to check for hurricane season clauses and whether the landlord has insurance. The reference point is the first half of 2026.