Is Kauai County, HI good for real estate investing?

Kauai County has an investment score of 35/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #742 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Kauai?

The rent-to-price ratio in Kauai County is 4.17% annually, which ranks in the 9th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Kauai?

The median home price in Kauai County is $991,648. This ranks #991 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Kauai?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Kauai County would generate negative cash flow of $2,956/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Kauai County

HawaiiPopulation: 73,511

/100

Avoid

#742 of 1,000 counties

#3 in Hawaii (4 counties)

Market Snapshot

$991,648

Median Home Price

325% above national median

$3,450/mo

Median Rent

128% above national median

4.17%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 91% nationally

-$2,956

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$991,648

Down Payment (20%)$198,330

Loan Amount$793,318

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,450

Monthly P&I-$5,198

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,208

Net Cash Flow-$2,956/mo

2.7%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.6%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.17%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.7% 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 Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

35/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.17% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

45/100

Based on -1.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

8/100

Price-to-income ratio of 11.2x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

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

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.17%)
-Declining home values (-1.0% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$2,956/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.7% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

73,511

Median Income

$88,869

vs $57,018 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

11.2x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
HawaiiHI	43	$557,666	$2,618	5.63%	Avoid	View
HonoluluHI	36	$833,725	$2,791	4.02%	Avoid	View
CurrentKauaiHI	35	$991,648	$3,450	4.17%	Avoid
MauiHI	27	$993,613	$3,405	4.11%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidKauai may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Kauai County in Hawaii scores 35/100, ranking #742 of 1,000 US counties (top 98%). The 4.17% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-2,956/mo

Cap Rate

2.7%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.6%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Kauai?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$991,648

Down Payment (20%)$198,330

Loan Amount$793,318

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,450

Monthly P&I-$5,198

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,208

Net Cash Flow-$2,956/mo

2.7%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.6%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.17%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.7% 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 Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

35/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.17% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

45/100

Based on -1.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

8/100

Price-to-income ratio of 11.2x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

HawaiiHI

$557,666

$2,618

5.63%

Avoid

View

HonoluluHI

$833,725

$2,791

4.02%

Avoid

View

CurrentKauaiHI

$991,648

$3,450

4.17%

Avoid

MauiHI

$993,613

$3,405

4.11%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidKauai may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-2,956/mo

Cap Rate

2.7%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.6%