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Best Cities for Rental Property in Hawaii

5 Hawaii cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across Hawaii markets is 3.1%, with median home prices averaging $849K and rents averaging $3,038/mo. Hilo leads with a 4.0% cap rate at a $560K median price. Hawaii's low average property tax rate of 0.28% gives investors a significant cash flow advantage.

3.1%
Avg Cap Rate
$849K
Avg Price
$3,038/mo
Avg Rent
5
Cities Tracked

Hawaii Rental Market Analysis

Hawaii offers 5 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 3.1% is near the 3.81% national average. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: Hawaii home prices average $849K, which is 155% above the national average of $333K. Rents average $3,038/mo.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.28% across Hawaii, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $6,792 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Hilo has the lowest rate at 0.28%.Vacancy averages 4.2%, tighter than the national average — favorable for landlords.

Growth outlook: Population growth across Hawaii averages 0.20% per year, led by Hilo at 0.2%. Home values are appreciating at 2.0% annually on average. Moderate growth provides a stable demand foundation.

Bottom line: Hawaii is primarily an appreciation market. Cash flow investing requires below-median purchases or value-add strategies. Consider whether the growth and appreciation potential justifies tighter margins.

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How Hawaii Compares to National Averages

Metric
Hawaii
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
3.1%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$849K
$333K
Avg Rent
$3,038/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.28%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
4.2%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.20%/yr
0.92%/yr

Hawaii Cities by Cap Rate Tier

4% – 5% (1)3% – 4% (1)Below 3% (3)

All 5 Hawaii Cities Ranked

1
Hilo, HI4.0% cap rate
$560K median$2,490/mo rent0.28% tax0.2% growth
2
Kapaa, HI3.0% cap rate
$1.0M median$3,590/mo rent0.28% tax0.2% growth
3
Kahului, HI3.0% cap rate
$990K median$3,510/mo rent0.28% tax0.2% growth
4
Honolulu, HI2.7% cap rate
$845K median$2,800/mo rent0.28% tax0.2% growth
5
Urban Honolulu, HI2.7% cap rate
$845K median$2,800/mo rent0.28% tax0.2% growth

Other West States

New Mexico (12 cities · 5.0% avg)Alaska (2 cities · 4.1% avg)Arizona (17 cities · 3.5% avg)Nevada (11 cities · 3.1% avg)California (38 cities · 3.0% avg)Colorado (18 cities · 2.7% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hawaii a good state for rental property investing?
Hawaii has an average cap rate of 3.1% across 5 cities. The best-performing city is Hilo at 4.0%. Average home prices of $849K are above the national average. Property taxes at 0.28% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in Hawaii?
Hilo leads Hawaii with a 4.0% cap rate, $560K median price, and $2,490/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Hilo (0.2% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in Hawaii?
Property taxes in Hawaii average 0.28%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Hilo at 0.28%. On an average-priced home of $849K, annual taxes are approximately $2,377.
How many Hawaii cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 5 Hawaii cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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