Real Estate Blog

Hawaii offers a range of breathtaking landscapes to its residents, from golden beaches and clear blue waters, to the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and lush forests. And with local cuisines, a relaxed lifestyle, and year-round warm climate, there are plenty of reasons that make Hawaii stand out. If you’ve been living on one of the Hawaiian islands and are ready to buy a home, you also probably have a budget you’d like to stay under. As of July, the median home sale price in Hawaii is $752,500. 

Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home that does. Redfin has collected 6 of the most affordable places to live in Hawaii. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $752,500. From Hilo to Honolulu, read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to.

view of oahu in the middle of the island at sunrise_Getty
Art Wager via Getty Images

#1: Waianae

Median home price: $237,500
Average sale price per square foot: 521
Median household income: $71,681
Waianae, HI homes for sale
Waianae, HI apartments for rent

In the first spot is the city of Waianae where the median home sale price is $237,500. Waianae is located along the west side of Oahu, about 32 miles from Honolulu. There is plenty to do in Waianae like spending the day at Pokai Bay Beach or Pokai Beach, enjoying the views from Pōkaʻī Bay Beach Park, or having a meal near the waterfront.

#2: Hawaiian Paradise Park

Median home price: $487,500
Average sale price per square foot: $364
Median household income: $74,741
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI homes for sale
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $487,500, Hawaiian Paradise Park takes the second spot on our list as the most affordable place to live in Hawaii. Located on the island of Hawaii, Hawaiian Paradise Park is home to roughly 14,900 residents. Living in Hawaiian Paradise Park, you can hike along Paradise Cliffs, take in the views at Makuʻu Point, and visit Haena Beach.

#3: Waimalu

Median home price: $490,000
Average sale price per square foot: $586
Median household income: $70,356
Waimalu, HI homes for sale
Waimalu, HI apartments for rent

A little more expensive than Hawaiian Paradise Park is the city of Waimalu, located on Oahu. With roughly 13,800 residents in Waimalu, make sure to bike along the Pearl Harbor Bike Trail, check out Neal S. Blaisdell Park, and have an amazing meal at one of the restaurants.

aerial view of hilo hawaii_shutterstock

#4: Hilo

Median home price: $500,000
Average sale price per square foot: $433
Median household income: $70,356
Hilo, HI homes for sale
Hilo, HI apartments for rent

Coming in as the fourth most affordable city to live in Hawaii is Hilo, on the east side of the Big Island, Hawaii. When living in this city of 44,200 people, you can explore the Liliʻuokalani Gardens and spend the afternoon at Hilo Bayfront Beach Park. Make sure to check out the local produce and vendors at the Hilo Farmers Market and hike through Wailuku River State Park to Rainbow Falls.

#5: Aiea

Median home price: $505,000
Average sale price per square foot: $573
Median household income: $114,359
Aiea, HI homes for sale
Aiea, HI apartments for rent

Fifth on the list is another well-known city, Aiea, where the median home sale price is about $250K less than the state’s average. Aiea has about 10,400 residents and is a great city to consider buying a house this year. There are lots of activities to do in this city, such as taking in the views at ʻAiea Bay State Recreation Area, hiking the ʻAiea Loop Trail, and checking out the local shops and restaurants, among many other local favorites.

king kamehameha statue in honolulu_getty

#6: Honolulu

Median home price: $600,000
Average sale price per square foot: $736
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,300
Median household income: $92,600
Honolulu, HI homes for sale
Honolulu, HI apartments for rent

The final city on our list of affordable places to live in Hawaii is none other than Honolulu. With a population of nearly 350,900, living in Honolulu is a great option for those looking for a bigger city to live in. Don’t miss out on visiting the iconic Waikiki Beach to see the sparkling water and golden sands, hiking to the top of Diamond Head, taking a tour of Iolani Palace, and exploring the local shops, restaurants, and sites in downtown Honolulu once moving here.

Methodology: All cities must have over 10,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Hawaii. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.