Real Estate Investing in Honolulu, Hawaii (96816)

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

Honolulu County • Population: 50,711 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96816 (Honolulu, HI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (32/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 39.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Honolulu, HI (96816)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,294,945
Avg Monthly Rent $2,753
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $110,030
% Renters 37.2%

Market Analysis: 96816 Honolulu

The 96816 ZIP in Honolulu, HI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.3M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $1.3M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 96816 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In practical terms, 96816 offers a low basis, the region around Honolulu has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 96816 ZIP's population of 50,711 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 96816 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $1.3M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Honolulu:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 11.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,753/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
Urban Honolulu, HI Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
73 days
Average time to sell
Slow
5.8%
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 Urban Honolulu, HI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96816

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$308,066/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $461,348 $1,890 2.9% +1.8% $461,348
2BR $668,737 $2,480 2.7% +1.1% $334,369
3BR $1,190,189 $3,450 2.1% +4.1% $396,730
4BR $1,388,571 $4,160 2.2% +4.5% $347,143
5BR $1,540,329 +4.5% $308,066

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.4M$1.2M$1.1M$946K$804K$662KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,025$2,833$2,641$2,449$2,257$2,065Apr 2021Dec 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96816 Compare?

Metric 96816 Honolulu Urban Honolulu, HI Hawaii
Home Value $1,294,945 $695,893 N/A $824,731
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 1.9% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $2,753 $2,903 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.7% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 96816? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 96816 (Honolulu, HI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Honolulu County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

HappyDoors Property Management offers services in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, HI. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Oishi's Property Management, founded in 1977 in Honolulu, Hawaii, provides quality management services to owners and condominium associations, also serving Las Vegas. summary from their website

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Real Property Management Honolulu is a property management company in Honolulu, Hawaii. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Urban Honolulu, HI metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
54%
Days Pending
2/2
73 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,294,945
Monthly Rent $2,753
Price-to-Rent 39.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 4.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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
9.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 96816

Population: 50,711

💰 Median Household Income
$110,030
This area
$110,030
State
$87,967
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
37.2%
This area
37.2%
State
37.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-27.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.6%
This area
46.6%
State
-0.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.6 years
This area
46.6 years
State
-1.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.0%
This area
9.0%
State
18.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Asian 51.4%
Other/Mixed 27.8%
White 19.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Black/African American 1.0%
👶 Under 18
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.2%
This area
25.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 96816

A Avg School Grade
11 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$19,381 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Kaimuki High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
550 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Anuenue School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
450 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Kahala Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A+ Excellent

King Liholiho Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
457 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mayor John H Wilson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A Very Good

Aliiolani Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
228 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A Very Good

Hokulani Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A Very Good

Palolo Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
263 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A Very Good

Waialae Elementary - PCS

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
500 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
A Very Good

William P Jarrett Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,381 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Kaimuki Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,006 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 3,900 Off-Campus Students
D
Paul Mitchell the School-Honolulu
148 students · 1.0 mi
C
Chaminade University of Honolulu
2,602 students · 1.2 mi
C
Kapiolani Community College
5,822 students · 1.7 mi
D
University of Hawaii System Office
0 students · 1.7 mi
B
University of Hawaii at Manoa
19,256 students · 1.9 mi
D
Hawaii Medical College
217 students · 3.7 mi
C
Hawaii Pacific University
4,748 students · 4.6 mi
C
Hawaii Institute of Hair Design
70 students · 4.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,900 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Honolulu, HI?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Honolulu, HI ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $1.3M and rents of $2,753/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How much does a house cost in Honolulu, HI?

Homes in Honolulu, HI typically sell near $1.3M. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

Are rents high in Honolulu, HI?

Honolulu, HI rentals go for roughly $2,753/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.3M acquisition costs.

How tight is the rental market in Honolulu, HI?

Vacancy risk in Honolulu, HI is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Honolulu, HI?

HI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Honolulu generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

You know 96816 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 96816 ranks in Urban Honolulu, HI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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