In Lihue, a typical home is worth $878,500 and typical rent is $1,956 a month. Home values, rent and income are very close to those of all of Kauai County.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $653,685 to $873,453.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Lihue is in Kauai County. The FHA loan limit ($1,110,900 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Kauai County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Makaha, the typical home value is $394,000: 55% less than in Lihue ($878,500).
2
Nearby, in Waianae, the typical rent is $1,277: 35% less than in Lihue ($1,956).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Lihue
What homes there are in Lihue, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Kind of home: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Detached house
57%
69%
54%
61%
Attached house
8%
6%
9%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
31%
17%
31%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Lihue, but it weighs less than in Kauai County: 57% against 69%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Year built: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Before 1960
13%
13%
14%
26%
1960–1979
29%
30%
36%
24%
1980–1999
35%
37%
28%
25%
2000–2009
14%
13%
12%
14%
2010 or later
10%
7%
9%
11%
In Lihue, half of the homes were built before 1983; in Kauai County, before 1983.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750K20%
$750K–$1M38%
$1M or more32%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Under $100K
Unreliable
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
20%
$750K–$1M
38%
$1M or more
32%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$3,111 a month
Kauai County: $2,772 a month
Without a mortgage
$694 a month
Kauai County: $623 a month
Owners with a mortgage
66%
Kauai County: 63%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Lihue is $3,111 a month, more than in Kauai County ($2,772); without one, $694.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
LihueBoundaries changed
Kauai County+53%
Hawaii+36%
United States+53%
Typical rent
LihueBoundaries changed
Kauai County+36%
Hawaii+22%
United States+33%
Typical household income
LihueBoundaries changed
Kauai County+17%
Hawaii+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Typical home value
Boundaries changed
+53%
+36%
+53%
Typical rent
Boundaries changed
+36%
+22%
+33%
Typical household income
Boundaries changed
+17%
+24%
+29%
The boundaries of Lihue changed since 2015–2019, so the Census does not compare its figures from then and now. In Kauai County, the typical home value rose 53%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Lihue and its comparisons
Measure
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
7.4%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
6.7%
8.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.91
3.09
2.85
2.53
Drive alone
78%
72%
65%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
14%
14%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
5%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
9%
10%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Lihue has 2.91 people, fewer than in Kauai County (3.09).
To get to work, 78% of workers in Lihue drive alone; in Kauai County, 72%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Lihue?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Lihue, worth $878,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 89% of the typical household income in Lihue, which is $92,850 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $295,418 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kauai County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Lihue. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $30,748 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$6,893
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$862,588
Total interest
$1,241,061
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $14,836 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,167 a month
Tight
$2,167 to $2,786 a month
Hard
more than $2,786 a month
Your payment · 89%
Compared with the typical household income in Lihue ($92,850 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$5,843
Property tax
$154
Home insurance
$366
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$530
You need at least $30,748 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $6,893; principal and interest $5,843.
The city and its county
Lihue and Kauai County
Lihue is in Kauai County, Hawaii. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Map of Kauai County, Hawaii, with Lihue marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Kauai County
Lihue's own numbers
Typical home value
$878,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,956
Typical yearly household income
$92,850
Households that own their home
64%
Effective property tax rate
0.21%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Kauai County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,110,900
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,105
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+52%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Kauai County.
A typical home in Lihue is worth $878,500: about the same as the county and 5% above Hawaii. With the typical household income in Lihue ($92,850 a year), a typical home costs 9.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Lihue9.5 years
Kauai8.9 years
Hawaii8.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Kauai County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kauai County rose 94% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Kauai County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Kauai County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +6.2% +6.2% 2016
2017: +3.8% +3.8% 2017
2018: +6.5% +6.5% 2018
2019: +5.9% +5.9% 2019
2020: +2.8% +2.8% 2020
2021: +10.7% +10.7% 2021
2022: +17.8% +17.8% 2022
2023: +8.3% +8.3% 2023
2024: +8.6% +8.6% 2024
2025: −0.8% −0.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Kauai County, Hawaii and the United States
Period
County
Hawaii
U.S.
Last year (2025)
−0.8%
+2.9%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+52%
+46%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+94%
+73%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Lihue next to Kauai County, Hawaii and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Lihue$878,500
Kauai$873,200
Hawaii$839,100
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Lihue$1,956
Kauai$1,870
Hawaii$1,971
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Lihue$92,850
Kauai$97,668
Hawaii$100,389
United States$80,734
See the full table
Lihue next to Kauai County and Hawaii
Measure
Lihue
Kauai County
Hawaii
U.S.
Typical home value
$878,500
$873,200
$839,100
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,956 ▲5% above the county
$1,870
$1,971
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$92,850 ▼5% below the county
$97,668
$100,389
$80,734
Households that own their home
64% ▼5 points below the county
69%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,848
$1,866
$2,239
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.21%
0.21%
0.27%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
62% ▲10 points above the county
52%
57%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kauai County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lihue
For a typical $878,500 home in Lihue, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lihue's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$6,893a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$30,748
Cash to close
$57,103
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $530
Conventional, 5% down$6,591a month
Down payment
$43,925
Cash to close
$70,280
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $417
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$5,281a month
Down payment
$175,700
Cash to close
$202,055
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$6,093a month
Down payment
$131,775
Cash to close
$158,130
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lihue
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$6,893
$30,748
$862,588
7.18%
FHA MIP · $530
$57,103
580
Conventional, 5% down
$6,591
$43,925
$834,575
7.18%
PMI · $417
$70,280
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$5,281
$175,700
$702,800
7.18%
None
$202,055
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$6,093
$131,775
$746,725
8.18%
None
$158,130
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Lihue is $1,956 a month: 5% above the county. In Lihue, 62% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kauai County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,105 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $40.48 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Kauai County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,599
$30.75
$63,960
1 bedroom
$1,609
$30.94
$64,360
2 bedrooms
$2,105
$40.48
$84,200
3 bedrooms
$2,588
$49.77
$103,520
4 bedrooms
$2,952
$56.77
$118,080
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Lihue
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lihue is in ZIP code 96766.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,270: $165 more than the fair market rent for Kauai County ($2,105).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Lihue, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
96766
$1,720
$1,740
$2,270
$2,790
$3,180
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
96766 $2,270$2,790
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lihue when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Kauai County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lihue or Kauai County. The ones below are statewide in Hawaii: they work in Lihue the same as in the rest of the state.
Hawaii state corporation 30-year fixed mortgage for first-time buyers, with optional down payment assistance whose terms the agency has not yet published.Offered by Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Lihue or Kauai County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Lihue and all of Kauai County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Lihue?
The typical home value in Lihue is $878,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kauai County it is $873,200.
How much does it cost to rent in Lihue?
Typical rent in Lihue is $1,956 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kauai County is $2,105.
What is the FHA loan limit in Lihue?
Lihue uses the FHA limit for all of Kauai County (2026): $1,110,900 for a one-unit home and $2,136,400 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Lihue?
The typical homeowner in Lihue pays $1,848 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.21% of the home’s value; in Kauai County, the rate is 0.21%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lihue?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Kauai County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
