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Homes For Sale In Honolulu, HI
Nestled on the island of Oahu, Honolulu provides a piece of paradise for anyone who lives there. Honolulu offers the beautiful weather, gorgeous views, and outdoor adventure that everyone expects from Hawaii, but it also offers so much more. Living in Honolulu means that you become a part of a community that finds pride in their culture and surroundings. You bond over “island life” and your neighbors and friends quickly become your extended ‘ohana. If you are thinking about buying Hawaii real estate, keep reading to find out if a house in Honolulu could be your new home.
Honolulu HI Real Estate Market
Several factors have impacted the Honolulu real estate market in recent years. Like many other cities around the world, Honolulu was immensely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since much of Honolulu’s economy is dependent on tourism, the quarantine periods made it difficult for the economy to stabilize, which affected the housing market. Homes for sale in Honolulu started to cost more than residents could afford, which made room for out-of-state investors to stake their housing claims. In fact, 41% of Hawaii home sales in 2021 were from California investors.
With that said, the tourism industry is back up and running, paving the way for residents to buy homes for sale in Honolulu again. Although the economy is restabilizing, Honolulu’s average home value is still above the national average. The closer you are to Honolulu's city center, the more expensive homes will be, so many buyers are migrating toward the outskirts of the Island. The median price of homes for sale in Honolulu, HI is $873,237, but most homes are selling for over $1M due to the competitive market.
There is a diverse mix of homes for sale in Honolulu, with a wide variety of property types here than in other areas of Oahu. Many homes in Honolulu have indoor-outdoor design features, as it is an important part of the island’s culture to spend time with nature. One of Honolulu’s most popular home styles is the territorial style, which takes cues from the original homes built by Hawaiian natives. These houses for sale in Honolulu have the steep roofs reminiscent of traditional Hawaiian properties, with optimized features that allow for better airflow and cooling. Even the modern and contemporary homes for sale in Honolulu, HI have a good amount of outdoor space for sustainable lifestyle options and a home for the lush greenery that Hawaii is known for.
Honolulu Average Property Prices
- Average detached home listing price: $873,237
- Average condo listing price: $300,000
Neighborhoods In Honolulu HI
Honolulu is one of the most-visited cities in Hawaii, but there are plenty of residential neighborhoods that can provide a quieter lifestyle. The closer to central Honolulu neighborhoods are, the more popular they are with both residents and tourists. If you are planning to buy homes for sale in Honolulu, check out these top neighborhoods to see which one appeals to you the most!
- Downtown Honolulu is where you can go to be in the center of all the action. Most of Honolulu’s typical tourist attractions and urban amenities are located here. You’ll find museums, classic architecture, college campuses, and Honolulu City Hall here, and a majority of properties in the area consist of high-rise condos overlooking the stunning island scenery.
- Waikiki is another tourist hot spot, but it features more of the natural amenities that you expect from a Hawaiian island. A true beach town, Waikiki offers 1.5 miles of beaches with luxury resorts and attractions. For locals, the best part of this city is being able to walk down the beach to experience some truly incredible food, drinks, and shopping. In addition, Manoa Falls is a quick 5 miles away, providing one of the best hiking opportunities in all of Honolulu.
- Kahala is one of Honolulu’s luxury neighborhoods, with five-star resorts surrounded by extravagant homes. This beachside city offers direct access to the best natural scenery that Honolulu has to offer. In addition to the Diamond Head State Monument and Shangri La, some of the biggest Hawaii must-see spots, Kahala locals can enjoy small businesses and distinctive boutiques across the island.
- Kaka’ako is Honolulu’s residential “artsy” neighborhood, with vibrant artwork at every turn. There is a wide variety of restaurants and shops along Auahi Street and Ward Avenue for residents to enjoy. Kaka’ako sits between downtown and Ala Moana, putting Honolulu homes here in a central location to be close to anything you may need.
Schools In Honolulu HI
The Hawaii Department of Education offers 296 schools throughout Honolulu, serving around 181,000 students in grades PreK-12. Unlike many states on the mainland, Hawaii’s education system is state-wide rather than city or county-wide. This means that there aren’t a lot of differences when moving from school to school in different areas of the islands. In addition to providing an excellent education for students in PreK through 12th grade, Honolulu also offers a few universities for residents to further their education right here on the island! Here are some of the schooling options Honolulu offers:
Elementary Schools
- King Liholiho Elementary School
- Moanalua Elementary School
- Major General William R Shafter Elementary School
Middle Schools
- Moanalua Middle School
- Kaimuki Middle School
- Voyager Charter School
High Schools
- Moanalua High School
- Kalani High School
Universities
- University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
FAQ About Honolulu HI Real Estate
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Honolulu, Hawaii?
Inouye International Airport (HNL), once known as Honolulu International Airport, is the largest airport in Hawaii and is the fastest way of flying in and out of Oahu.
Do Daylight Savings Happen in Honolulu, Hawaii?
No! No need to worry about springing forward or falling back, because daylight saving time doesn’t apply to the islands.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii?
The most affordable neighborhood in Honolulu is Whitmore Village, with an average home price of $860,000.
What is The Average House Price in Honolulu, Hawaii?
The average price of single-family homes for sale in Honolulu is around $873,000, which is about 20% higher than the national average.
Things To Do In Honolulu HI
It goes without saying that if you have a home in Honolulu you have access to some of best outdoor activities in the world, and when you live here you get to take advantage of it year-round. Spend the day surfing, sunbathing, hiking, or biking around the island. You can spend all day outdoors in Honolulu and never feel ready to head back home. Some of the best natural attractions in Honolulu include the Diamond Head State Monument, Manoa Falls, Waikiki Beach, and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. While many of these spots are a bit touristy, they are popular for a reason. If you can go super early or in the off-season, you’ll be able to enjoy the full scope of what Honolulu has to offer.
Living In Honolulu HI
Cost of Living in Honolulu, Hawaii
It is well-known that Honolulu has a high cost of living compared to several places on the mainland. Located on an island, many of Honolulu’s necessary resources have to be imported from the mainland. This means that when Honolulu is out of a food or product, it may be a while before it’s available again. With this imbalance of supply and demand, the cost of everyday goods tends to run higher than average. There are ways to prepare for this; one popular thing that locals take advantage of is bulk stores like Costco or Sam's Club. These stores allow you to stock up on what you need for less than what it might cost in other grocery shops. This extends to homes for sale in Honolulu as well. Sometimes you have to wait to do a renovation or replace an appliance.
Medical Care in Honolulu, Hawaii
A critical part of Honolulu’s culture is living a healthy and active lifestyle. In connection to this, Honolulu’s medical care is number one for public health in the United States and Hawaii is considered the healthiest state in the nation. The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act mandates that any Hawaii resident working 20 hours or more per week has access to health insurance through their employer. Between the year-round warmth that encourages people to get outside and active and the consistent access to health insurance, you’ll be under excellent healthcare in the Aloha state.
Economy in Honolulu, Hawaii
Most of Honolulu’s economy is dependent on the tourism industry, but many have jobs in the service sector, aquaculture, and trade sectors. Honolulu is considered the financial hub of the Hawaiian Islands, providing job opportunities for many residents across Oahu as a whole. Honolulu also provides a central location for transportation crossroads of the Pacific, making transportation a major industry in the area.
Transportation In Honolulu HI
Getting around Honolulu and other parts of Oahu is easiest by car. The different Honolulu neighborhoods are relatively close together and provide a quick drive no matter where you are headed. Depending on where you buy a home for sale in Honolulu, you can walk to a few places with ease. Oahu’s public transportation system, TheBus, covers a majority of the island and has several routes to choose from. You can catch a bus every 15-20 minutes, so using public transportation in Honolulu is a breeze. In addition, Honolulu is in the midst of constructing a metro rail system, offering 21 stations across the island of Oahu.