The story of this market
The typical home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii sells for about $705,000, or $643 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 86 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,725 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+4.3%
HI · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
The Kailua-Kona housing market shows resilience with steady year-over-year price growth and moderate demand. While inventory remains constrained, the market is supported by strong interest in the region's lifestyle and tourism-driven economy. Buyers should note that pricing varies significantly based on proximity to the coast and property condition.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Kailua-Kona yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 2 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved down 4.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 127 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 0.03% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.2% · poverty 4.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
The historic heart of the town, featuring a high concentration of restaurants, boutiques, and oceanfront venues that anchor the local economy.
A popular local beach known for its shifting sands and surf, serving as a primary recreational hub for residents and visitors.
Preserves significant archaeological features that provide insight into the region's rich cultural heritage and history.
A charming historic district offering unique local retail and dining experiences that contribute to the area's distinct character.
Kailua-Kona is well-suited for retirees, lifestyle-focused remote workers, and investors seeking exposure to the Hawaii tourism market. The area offers a unique blend of resort-style amenities and small-town community, though the high cost of living and limited housing stock present challenges for local families and first-time buyers.
Public schools in the area are part of the Hawaii Department of Education, which operates as a single statewide district. Local schools generally receive moderate ratings, with community focus often directed toward extracurricular and cultural programming.
Transportation is primarily reliant on personal vehicles, with Queen Kaahumanu Highway serving as the main arterial corridor. Public transit options are limited, and the area is served by the Kona International Airport.
Kailua-Kona serves as a premier destination for ocean-based recreation, including world-class snorkeling, diving, and the annual Ironman World Championship. The town features extensive public beach parks, historic cultural sites, and a vibrant waterfront dining and shopping district.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and limited inventory, heavily influenced by the prevalence of short-term vacation rentals. Vacancy rates remain low, and rent trajectories have trended upward due to the constrained supply of long-term housing.
The economy is heavily anchored by the tourism and hospitality industry, supported by a growing healthcare sector and local government services. Momentum is steady, driven by consistent visitor demand and infrastructure investment.
Economic momentum is driven by the tourism and hospitality sectors, with ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at supporting the growing population. Major employers include regional hospitality groups, healthcare providers, and government services.
Development is focused on mixed-use projects and infrastructure improvements designed to balance tourism needs with residential growth. Planning efforts prioritize sustainable development in light of the area's environmental sensitivity.
Parcels are subject to county-level property taxes and state-level assessments, with no significant MUD/PID structures common in mainland markets.
Kailua-Kona experiences property crime rates consistent with other major tourist-heavy hubs in Hawaii, though violent crime remains relatively low. Local law enforcement maintains a visible presence in the Alii Drive corridor to manage incidents related to high visitor volume.
The area is situated on the leeward side of Hualalai, providing natural shelter from prevailing trade winds and heavy rainfall. However, residents face risks from volcanic activity, periodic drought conditions, and potential tsunami exposure along the immediate coastline.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to high exposure to natural hazards, including volcanic activity and wind damage, necessitating comprehensive coverage.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Hawaii) — Real Property Tax: Tax is calculated by applying county-specific tax rates to the assessed value of the property. The formula is (Assessed Value - Exemptions) * Tax Rate. Exemptions include homestead exemptions for owner-occupants, which vary by county.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from Census Bureau QuickFacts and Census Reporter profiles.
No public schools report a street address in this area. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.