Moving to Lahaina, HI — Cost, Timing, Best-For

All states·Hawaii·Lahaina·Moving guide

What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.

40
Momentum score
$956,255
Median home value
-10.2%
Home YoY
12,702
Population

If you're considering a move to Lahaina, 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.

Lahaina is a city in Maui County, Hawaii, with an estimated population of 12,702. It anchors the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina metro area. The median home value in Lahaina is $956,255 as of 2026-04, down 10.2% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +3.1% annual growth, and the market currently sits about 16% below its 5-year peak. Rents in Lahaina average $3,850 per month, up 6.2% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 40 of 100 (Cooling). Buyers may find more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.

Prices have come off recent highs (-16.0% from peak). Buyers may have more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.

Reasons people move here

  • Hot rental market: rents up 6.2% YoY — landlords have pricing power, supports new investment math.
  • The data is the data: Lahaina has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.

Things to know first

  • Prices actively falling: down 10.2% in the last 12 months — buyer sentiment has flipped. Sellers competing on price.
  • Expensive AND not growing: median home $956,255 with only -10.2% YoY. You're paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
  • 16% off recent peak — buyers are getting through-the-cycle pricing, not the peak.
  • Thin housing market: small population means fewer transactions and slower resale. Liquidity risk on exit.

More about Lahaina

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