What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Kailua, HI, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Kailua is a city in Hawaii County, Hawaii, with an estimated population of 19,713. It anchors the Urban Honolulu metro area. The median home value in Kailua is $1,530,716 as of 2026-04, up 0.4% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +5.7% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Kailua average $3,732 per month, up 6.3% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 70 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (-0.3% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.
Reasons people move here
- Healthy 5-year run: +5.7% annualized over 5 years, outpacing US inflation.
- Held the highs: currently -0.3% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
- Hot rental market: rents up 6.3% YoY — landlords have pricing power, supports new investment math.
Things to know first
- Expensive AND not growing: median home $1,530,716 with only +0.4% YoY. You're paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
More about Kailua
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.