Kapaa, HI — Momentum Score, Home Values & Best-For

All states·Hawaii·Kapaa

Kauai County · Kapaa · population 11,652

Small-town feel
OverviewCost of livingMoving guide
View watchlist →
70
Rising
Momentum score · 0–100

Where Kapaa stands

At or near all-time high.

Median home $954,088
1-year +0.9%
5-yr CAGR +6.4%
vs 5-yr peak -1.2%

Home value trajectory · last 10 years

Zillow ZHVI · monthly
peak 2024-10$954k$447k$633k$818k$1004k201620182020202220242026

Lifestyle scores

🚶
Walkability
25/100
Very car-dependent
Estimated from population density. Higher = denser, more amenities within walking distance.
🚉
Public transit
15/100
Transit limited
Curated list of major US transit systems + population-based estimate. Higher = real subway/rail/bus options.
💻
Remote work fit
40/100
Marginal for remote
Composite of city size, housing cost, state tax structure, and region's remote-work track record.

Scores are heuristic estimates from population density, state, and known transit/walkable cities. Not based on a paid Walk Score / Transit Score API — see methodology for the formula.

How the momentum score breaks down

methodology →
Home YoY
55 · w22%
Home 5-yr CAGR
71 · w22%
Distance from peak
83 · w18%
Home 10-yr CAGR
75 · w10%
Long thesis

Kapaa has held up across the cycle: home values at $954,088 with +6.4% 5-year CAGR. The bull case is structural — population, location, employer base — and holds even if next year's print is soft.

Short thesis

Kapaa carries a $954,088 median home with only +0.9% YoY. Premium pricing in a flat tape is the bear setup — you're paying for the trend that already ran while new buyers can't afford to extend it.

About Kapaa

Kapaa is a city in Kauai County, Hawaii, with an estimated population of 11,652. The median home value in Kapaa is $954,088 as of 2026-04, up 0.9% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +6.4% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. The composite momentum score is 70 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.

▲ Bull case

●Healthy 5-year run: +6.4% annualized over 5 years, outpacing US inflation.
●Held the highs: currently -1.2% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.

▼ Bear case

●Expensive AND not growing: median home $954,088 with only +0.9% YoY. You’re paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
○Thin housing market: small population means fewer transactions and slower resale. Liquidity risk on exit.

Playbook

Buyer

You're not in a frenzy but you're not getting bargains either. Make a competitive offer with normal inspection terms. Don't lowball — the listing will move with or without you.

Seller

Price at fair market value; expect movement in 30-45 days. Don't get clever with terms (rent-back, contingencies) — buyers in a Rising market have options.

Investor

Appreciation tailwind exists but cash flow requires discipline on price. Run the numbers conservatively and confirm rent comps before committing.

Local safety & alerts

No active National Weather Service alerts for Kauai County right now.

NWS active alerts (HI)Hawaii Emergency ManagementHow to prepare (NWS)

Public-safety links are official .gov sources, not curated by us. Kauai County routes NWS alerts; check the state EM portal for non-weather emergencies.

Cities like Kapaa

Kailua, HI70 · RisingWaimea, HI70 · RisingKula, HI65 · RisingHilo, HI72 · Rising

Run the numbers for Kapaa

ToolCan I afford Kapaa?Income → city shortlistToolROI on a Kapaa rentalCap rate, cash-on-cash, DSCRToolCompare Kapaa to anywhereSide-by-side up to 3 citiesToolKapaa cost-of-livingEquivalent income elsewhere

Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.

Climate & natural-disaster risk

Winter (Jan)
80° / 65°
avg high / low
Summer (Jul)
87° / 73°
avg high / low
Sunny days/yr
271
~74% of year
Annual precip
65″ rain
0″ snow
Disaster risk (1=very low, 5=very high)
Hurricane
Moderate
Tornado
Very low
Wildfire
Low
Earthquake
Low
Flood
Moderate

State-level averages from NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020) and FEMA National Risk Index. City-level conditions can vary significantly within a state.

Current weather

Loading current conditions…

7-day forecast on weather.gov →

Find rentals & listings

Open current Kapaa listings on the major real-estate sites.

Links open the live search on the destination site — results are always current.

Local sports teams

Major professional teams the Kapaa area cheers for. Detailed stats, schedules, and player pages on intherafters.com.

Local economy & environment

Humidity
73%
Humid climate
Median household income
$94,000
Hawaii state median
Top industries (state-level)
TourismMilitaryHealthcare

Humidity is annual average relative humidity (NOAA). Income is Census ACS 5-year estimate. Industries are largest employment sectors statewide (BLS); the local mix in a given city may vary.

Cities similar to Kapaa

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