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Market MapHawaiiKauai

Kauai County

HawaiiPopulation: 73,511
46
/100
Hold
#667 of 1,000 counties
#1 in Hawaii (4 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$1,024,959
Median Home Price
347% above national median
$5,102/mo
Median Rent
252% above national median
5.97%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 52% nationally
-$2,057
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $5,102/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.
ScenarioPurchase priceMonthly cash flowCap rateCash-on-cash
75% of median
value-add or distressed
$768,720-$714/mo5.2%-4.8%
Median
typical MLS deal
$1,024,959-$2,057/mo3.9%-10.5%
125% of median
newer / premium
$1,281,199-$3,400/mo3.1%-13.8%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$1,024,959
Down Payment (20%)$204,992
Loan Amount$819,967
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$5,102
Monthly P&I-$5,373
Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,786
Net Cash Flow-$2,057/mo
3.9%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-10.5%
Cash-on-Cash Return
5.97%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.9% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full AnalysisTry House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
46/100
46
Cash Flow(30%)
60/100

Based on 5.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
62/100

Based on 1.3% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
1/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Complete rent data available

Challenges

  • -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$2,057/mo)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 3.9% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population
73,511
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for
  • +All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
Skip if
  • −You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
  • −You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
CurrentKauaiHI
46$1,024,959$5,1025.97%Hold
HawaiiHI
43$557,666$2,6185.63%AvoidView
HonoluluHI
36$833,725$2,7914.02%AvoidView
MauiHI
27$993,613$3,4054.11%AvoidView

The Bottom Line

HoldKauai is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Kauai County in Hawaii scores 46/100, ranking #667 of 1,000 US counties (top 85%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $2057/month; the 5.97% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow
$-2,057/mo
Cap Rate
3.9%
Cash-on-Cash
-10.5%

Related markets

Markets like Kauai with stronger cash flow

  • Hawaii County for cash-flow rentals
  • Maui County for cash-flow rentals
  • Honolulu County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Kauai

  • Hawaii County, lower entry price
  • Honolulu County, lower entry price
  • Maui County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Kauai vs Hawaii for rentals
  • Kauai vs Honolulu for rentals
  • Kauai vs Maui for rentals
All counties in Hawaii →

Rent vs buy in Hawaii cities

Rent vs buy in Honolulu, HIMedian $833,725 · rent $2,791/moAll Hawaii citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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