Real Estate Investing in Paia, Hawaii (96779)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 96779 (Paia, HI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High vacancy: 23.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Higher unemployment: 8.7% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Paia, HI (96779)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 96779 Paia
ZIP 96779 inside Maui County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.3M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Rent of $3,159/mo on a $1.3M basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 96779 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
ZIP 96779's metrics run below Maui County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The 96779 ZIP's population of 2,906 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.
Strategically, 96779 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Paia:
Property Strategy for 96779
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,441,899 | $3,510 | 1.8% | +7.0% | $720,950 |
| 3BR | $1,154,138 | $4,550 | 2.8% | +6.1% | $384,713 |
| 4BR | $1,972,566 | $5,670 | 2.1% | +7.3% | $493,141 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 96779 Compare?
| Metric | 96779 | Paia | Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,335,408 | $1,335,408 | N/A | $824,731 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.6% | 3.6% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $3,159 | $3,159 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% | 1.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 96779 (Paia, HI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 96779 (Paia, HI)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,335,408 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,159 |
| Price-to-Rent | 35.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.8% |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.6% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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.
Demographics in 96779
Population: 2,906
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 96779
Schools in This ZIP Code
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 944 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to pay for a home in Paia, HI?
Median home price in Paia, HI is near $1.3M, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
What real estate strategy is ideal for Paia, HI?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Paia, HI. With home values at $1.3M and rents near $3,159/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.
Where do rents currently stand in Paia, HI?
Paia, HI rentals go for roughly $3,159/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.3M acquisition costs.
Should investors consider Paia, HI?
Investors tracking Paia, HI will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $1.3M median home values and $3,159/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.
What is the tenant pool like in Paia, HI?
Tenant quality in Paia, HI ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $3,159/mo.
You know 96779 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96779 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.
How 96779 ranks in Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 96779 (Paia)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 96779 (Paia, HI).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.