Real Estate Investing in Naalehu, Hawaii (96772)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Hawaii County • Population: 2,556 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96772 (Naalehu, HI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 20.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Naalehu, HI (96772)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $408,161
Avg Monthly Rent $1,683
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,512
% Renters 18.8%

Market Analysis: 96772 Naalehu

The 96772 ZIP covers a section of Naalehu that demands careful diligence. Prices near $408K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $408K asset, 96772 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 96772 among HI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A significant renter share of 19% in 96772 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Naalehu's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 96772. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Naalehu:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,683/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Hilo, HI Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
87 days
Average time to sell
Slow
6.1%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Hilo, HI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96772

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$149,714/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $238,268 $1,460 4.4% +6.8% $238,268
2BR $409,235 $1,870 3.3% +8.5% $204,618
3BR $449,143 $2,440 3.9% +7.8% $149,714

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$441K$395K$349K$303K$257K$211KJan 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96772 Compare?

Metric 96772 Naalehu Hilo, HI Hawaii
Home Value $408,161 $408,161 N/A $824,731
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,683 $1,683 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 96772? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 96772 (Naalehu, HI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Hilo, HI metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
68%
Days Pending
2/2
87 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $408,161
Monthly Rent $1,683
Price-to-Rent 20.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 7.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR 0.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
20.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 96772

Population: 2,556

💰 Median Household Income
$58,512
This area
$58,512
State
$87,967
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
37.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-27.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
-0.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.4 years
This area
45.4 years
State
-1.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.7%
This area
20.7%
State
18.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 49.4%
White 35.9%
Asian 14.2%
Hispanic/Latino 7.9%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.2%
This area
28.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 96772

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$19,381 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Naalehu Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Naalehu, HI?

Median home price in Naalehu, HI is near $408K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What approach is best for Naalehu, HI real estate?

Naalehu, HI investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($408K prices, $1,683/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How much rent can I charge in Naalehu, HI?

Rental rates in Naalehu, HI average $1,683/mo. Tenant demand and $408K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How landlord-friendly is Naalehu, HI?

HI law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Naalehu inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Naalehu, HI?

House hacking in Naalehu, HI is reasonable to execute. Prices around $408K and rents of $1,683/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 96772 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96772 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 96772 ranks in Hilo, HI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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