Loan balance over time
| Total of 360 payments | $1,770,858 |
| Principal | $700,800 |
| Interest | $907,128 |
| Taxes | $70,950 |
| Insurance | $91,980 |
| HOA fees | $0 |
What these numbers come from
- Median home value
- $875,900
- Median tax bill
- $2,385
- Effective tax rate
- 0.27%
- Rank of 51
- 51st highest
Hawaii taxes property at about 0.27% of value against 0.89% nationally. On a $876,000 home that is $453 a month less than the same house would cost in taxes at the national rate. Rates are set by counties, cities and school districts, so your own bill will differ from the state median — put your actual figure in the property tax field and the payment updates.
Tax and home value figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Insurance is estimated at 0.35% of home value per year — there is no comparable public per-state dataset, so treat it as a placeholder and replace it with your own quote. The interest rate is the national Freddie Mac 30-year average of 6.58%; this site does not publish state-level rate quotes.
Monthly cost across Hawaii home prices
20% down, 30-year fixed at 6.58%, with Hawaii property tax of 0.27% and estimated insurance.
| Home price | Loan | P&I | Tax/mo | Full payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $526,000 | $420,800 | $2,682 | $118 | $2,954 |
| $701,000 | $560,800 | $3,574 | $158 | $3,936 |
| $876,000 median | $700,800 | $4,466 | $197 | $4,919 |
| $1,095,000 | $876,000 | $5,583 | $246 | $6,149 |
| $1,314,000 | $1,051,200 | $6,700 | $296 | $7,379 |
The gap between the P&I column and the last one is what a mortgage quote leaves out. In Hawaii taxes alone add $197 a month on a median-priced home.
Amortization schedule
| Date | Principal | Interest | Tax, Ins. & HOA | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug | $624 | $3,843 | $453 | $700,176 |
| Sep | $627 | $3,839 | $453 | $699,549 |
| Oct | $631 | $3,836 | $453 | $698,918 |
| Nov | $634 | $3,832 | $453 | $698,284 |
| Dec | $638 | $3,829 | $453 | $697,647 |
| 2026 | $3,153 | $19,179 | $2,263 | $697,647 |
| Jan | $641 | $3,825 | $453 | $697,006 |
| Feb | $645 | $3,822 | $453 | $696,361 |
| Mar | $648 | $3,818 | $453 | $695,713 |
| Apr | $652 | $3,815 | $453 | $695,062 |
| May | $655 | $3,811 | $453 | $694,406 |
| Jun | $659 | $3,808 | $453 | $693,748 |
Refinancing in Hawaii
The arithmetic is the same everywhere: refinancing pays off when the monthly saving clears the closing costs before you sell or refinance again. What differs by state is the cost of getting there — recording fees, transfer and mortgage taxes, and whether an existing tax assessment survives the new loan.
Work the break-even with the refinance calculator, or check this week’s national average rates.
Hawaii home loans in detail
Hawaii Mortgage Overview
Hawaii is a gorgeous place to live, but it's also one of the most expensive. Hawaii has higher conforming loan limits to account for its higher cost of living. In 2026, you can borrow up to $1,249,125 and the median home value is around $775,000.
Hawaii has many first-time homebuyer programs to make it easier to buy a home there and not all of its 8 islands are as expensive. If you're thinking about moving to Hawaii, here are the most common loan options.
Hawaii conventional loans
Conventional loans are for 'good credit' borrowers. Typically, you need a 660 credit score or higher and debt ratios around 40 percent. You only need a 3 percent down payment as a first-time homebuyer, but many Hawaiians put down much more to bring the mortgage payment down.
Hawaii FHA loans
The FHA offers flexible loans for borrowers with less than perfect credit. You only need a 3.5 percent down payment and a 580 credit score, but you'll pay mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. FHA loans allow gift funds for down payments, so think about a larger down payment to lower the mortgage cost.
Hawaii VA loans
Veterans looking to settle in Hawaii deserve only the best. The VA offers 100 percent financing for veterans and you only need a 620 credit score. With adequate income and stable employment, you could qualify for lucrative and flexible financing terms as a thank you for serving our country.
Hawaii USDA loans
What could be better than living in a rural part of Hawaii, right? If you make less than 115% of the area's median income, you may be eligible for a Hawaii USDA loan which offers 100 percent financing and flexible guidelines for first-time homebuyers.
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Hawaii
HHOC Mortgage Down Payment Assistance
The HHOC serves low to moderate-income families, helping them secure their first mortgage. Borrowers need just 5 percent down. The program has no mortgage insurance and low interest rates.
DPACC
The Down Payment and Closing Cost program helps homebuyers who make 120 percent or less of the area's median income get up to $10,000 for the down payment and closing costs on their first home. This is in conjunction with an HHOC mortgage.
Honolulu Down Payment Program
The Honolulu Down Payment Program provides up to $40,000 in a down payment. You must contribute at least $5,000 too. There is no interest and the loan is amortized over 20 years.
Hawaii mortgage FAQ
- How much is property tax on a home in Hawaii?
- Hawaii homeowners pay an effective property tax rate of about 0.27 percent of home value — the 51st highest of the 50 states and DC. On the state's median home value of $875,900 that works out to roughly $2,365 a year, or $197 a month added to the mortgage payment. The figures come from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates; your own bill depends on the county and city rates where the home sits.
- What is the monthly payment on a median-priced Hawaii home?
- At $876,000 with 20 percent down and the current 6.58 percent national 30-year fixed average, principal and interest come to about $4,466 a month. Adding Hawaii property tax of roughly $197 a month and an estimated $256 of homeowner insurance brings the full payment to around $4,919.
- What types of mortgages are available in Hawaii?
- Hawaii buyers can use conventional loans with 3 percent down and a 660 or higher credit score, FHA loans with 3.5 percent down and a 580 score that also allow gifted down payment funds, VA loans with 100 percent financing and a 620 score for veterans, and USDA loans offering 100 percent financing to households earning under 115 percent of area median income.
- What first-time homebuyer programs does Hawaii offer?
- Hawaii buyers can turn to HHOC Mortgage Down Payment Assistance, which serves low to moderate income families with just 5 percent down, no mortgage insurance, and low rates. The DPACC program adds down payment and closing cost help for buyers earning 120 percent or less of area median income, and the Honolulu Down Payment Program provides an interest-free loan amortized over 20 years.
- What credit score do you need to buy a home in Hawaii?
- It varies by program. Conventional loans typically want a 660 or higher credit score with debt ratios around 40 percent, FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with 3.5 percent down, and VA loans require just a 620 score for veterans with adequate income and stable employment. USDA eligibility centers on income limits rather than a high score.
Property tax in every state
Effective rate on owner-occupied value, highest bills first in each column.
- Alabama0.38%
- Alaska1.06%
- Arizona0.43%
- Arkansas0.52%
- California0.71%
- Colorado0.49%
- Connecticut1.66%
- Delaware0.47%
- District of Columbia0.63%
- Florida0.75%
- Georgia0.74%
- Idaho0.43%
- Illinois1.92%
- Indiana0.74%
- Iowa1.29%
- Kansas1.25%
- Kentucky0.71%
- Louisiana0.53%
- Maine0.91%
- Maryland0.95%
- Massachusetts1.00%
- Michigan1.18%
- Minnesota1.02%
- Mississippi0.65%
- Missouri0.79%
- Montana0.69%
- Nebraska1.42%
- Nevada0.47%
- New Hampshire1.46%
- New Jersey1.89%
- New Mexico0.63%
- New York1.45%
- North Carolina0.61%
- North Dakota0.96%
- Ohio1.22%
- Oklahoma0.75%
- Oregon0.78%
- Pennsylvania1.16%
- Rhode Island1.07%
- South Carolina0.45%
- South Dakota1.02%
- Tennessee0.45%
- Texas1.31%
- Utah0.49%
- Vermont1.42%
- Virginia0.71%
- Washington0.79%
- West Virginia0.52%
- Wisconsin1.25%
- Wyoming0.57%