Real Estate Investing in Papaaloa, Hawaii (96780)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 96780 (Papaaloa, HI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Elevated poverty: 45.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 7.8% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 41.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
- Lower household income: $35,221 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Papaaloa, HI (96780)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 96780 Papaaloa
ZIP 96780 inside Hawaii County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $841K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 96780 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Regionally, 96780 sits on the difficult end of the HI spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Resident income in 96780 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Papaaloa:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 96780 Compare?
| Metric | 96780 | Papaaloa | Hilo, HI | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $840,548 | $840,548 | N/A | $824,731 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.8% | 3.8% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,683 | $1,683 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.6% | 1.6% | - | - |
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 96780 (Papaaloa, HI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 96780 (Papaaloa, HI)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $840,548 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,683 |
| Price-to-Rent | 41.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.4% |
| Cap Rate | 1.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 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 (1.6%). 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 96780
Population: 425
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 96780
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Laupahoehoe Community - PCS
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
Are there empty rentals in Papaaloa, HI?
Papaaloa, HI sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader HI rental market.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Papaaloa, HI?
Papaaloa, HI falls under HI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Which real estate strategy fits Papaaloa, HI?
The best-fit strategy in Papaaloa, HI is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
Is house hacking profitable in Papaaloa, HI?
House hacking in Papaaloa, HI is reasonable to execute. Prices around $841K and rents of $1,683/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
How strong is tenant demand in Papaaloa, HI?
Papaaloa, HI draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,683/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
You know 96780 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96780 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 96780 ranks in Hilo, HI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 96780 (Papaaloa)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 96780 (Papaaloa, HI).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.