Navigating the Maui Real Estate Market to Buy Your Perfect Home

For those who dream of moving to Hawaiʻi, living on Maui offers the best of both worlds:

• Maui is a gorgeous, natural paradise where the lush Hawaiian landscape is on full display. Living on the island means plenty of time to explore Maui’s white sand beaches, verdant rainforests, peaceful waterfalls, serene mountainous settings, and stark volcanic landscapes.

• For those with a practical bent, Maui also delivers. The island has plenty of restaurants and bars for those who like a taste of the nightlife. (But just a taste; most places close early!) Within Maui’s commercial centers, you’ll find big box stores like Costco, Walmart, and Target; grocery stores of all sizes; banks, hardware stores, boutiques, and the other conveniences you need to keep your life moving. Plus, Maui’s international airport, Kahului Airport, is the second-busiest in Hawaiʻi, with plenty of flights and destinations for those who love to travel.

If you’re dreaming of buying a home on Maui, check out our complete guide to Maui real estate below. We’ll show you why you might choose Maui, as opposed to one of Hawaiʻi’s other islands. We’ll give you an overview of the real estate market, share the best neighborhoods to live in, walk you through the buying process, and answer your questions about homeownership on Maui.

Why Buy a Home on Maui?

Before you move to Hawaiʻi, you’ll need to decide which island to live on.

Why Choose Maui?

• Maui offers the stunning natural beauty most people expect from Hawaiʻi, paired with the local conveniences that come with being the island chain’s second-most densely populated island.
• Maui also offers its residents a slower pace than busy Oʻahu. You won’t see four-lane freeways on the island, and some parts of Maui have only a stoplight or two—or none.
• You’ll also find an incredible number of microclimates on the island. Whether you dream of living near the beach, nestling in a lush rainforest, or taking in the cooler breezes of high-elevation living, Maui has options for you.
• Maui is also a watersports paradise with a ton of possibilities for enjoying the surrounding waters: surfing, snorkeling, kite boarding, windsurfing, foiling, scuba diving, paddling, sailing, kayaking, and swimming, just to name a few.

Maybe you don’t really need a reason. Some people who visit Maui “just know” that Maui is right for them. They might not be able to articulate why, but they feel a strong call to make their home on the island. If that’s you, you’ll find plenty of like-minded people on Maui, alongside those who have called Maui their home for generations.

The Maui Real Estate Market & Recent Trends

Once you’ve decided Maui is the island for you, it’s time to get a lay of the land. Let’s take a look at the Maui real estate market, including a few recent trends.

Maui Real Estate $$$ Ranking

#1 out of 4 (most expensive in the Hawaiian Islands!)

Top Neighborhood

Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Lāhainā, Waiehu, Waiheʻe, Pāʻia, Haʻikū, Makawao, Pukalani, Kula

Maui Real Estate Market Overview

What Is the Average Price of a House on Maui?

Currently, houses in Maui County (which includes the islands of Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Maui) have the highest average home value in the Hawaiian Islands: just over $1 million, according to Zillow.

(If you’re curious, Kauaʻi is in second place with the next-highest average home value, followed by Oʻahu, and then the Big Island.)

Is It Expensive to Live on Maui?

Real estate makes up a large part of the cost of living on Maui, and home prices continue to rise. Zillow noted a 3.1% increase from March 2023 to March 2024. That tracks pretty closely with average home values in the U.S. However, the average home value in the U.S. in March 2024 was ~$347,700, which is significantly lower than what you’ll see on Maui.

Is Maui Property a Good Investment?

Although purchase prices took a bit of a dip around the 2007–2008 financial crisis, Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) shows that house prices in Maui County have risen since 2011, with an especially steep rise since 2020.

You can view the data here so you can make your own investment decision accordingly.

Types of Properties Available on Maui

On Maui, you’ll find a variety of styles and sizes when it comes to Maui real estate, including:

Condominiums

Maui has its share of condominiums, especially in areas like North Kīhei, South Kīhei, and Wailea on Maui’s south shore; Māʻalea in the island’s center; and Kāʻanapali, Kahana, Kapalua, and Nāpili on Maui’s west side.

Maui Real Estate Tip: If you’re buying a Maui condo as an investment property, it’s important to understand Maui’s short-term rental laws.

In Maui County, any rental period less than six months is considered short-term. In order to be eligible for short-term rentals, a property either needs a short-term rental permit; must be located in an area that allows short-term rentals; or needs to be covered by a pre-existing agreement. Make sure to check into these details early so you know what’s possible with the property you purchase.

If you’re purchasing within a condo complex, you’ll likely need to pay a monthly HOA fee/maintenance fee. Make sure to incorporate this cost into your monthly budget when you’re browsing Maui real estate listings.

Single-Family Homes

Maui also has a significant number of single-family homes. In some areas, like Kīhei, Wailuku, Lāhainā, Makawao, Pāʻia, and Pukalani, homes may sit relatively close together. In places like Kula, Haʻikū, Olinda, and Hāna, homes may come with larger parcels of land ranging from half an acre to enough acreage that you can’t see your neighbor at all.

Maui also has its share of beachfront estates that offer luxury living and, in many cases, plenty of privacy. You’ll typically find these homes along Maui’s south shore in Mākena and Wailea; along Maui’s north shore, along the road to Hāna, and in some areas of West Maui.

Maui Real Estate Tip: Some single-family homes on Maui may include an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), also known as an ʻohana. ʻOhana means family in Hawaiian. Some families move aunties, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other family members into their ʻohana unit. Others rent them out or offer them to visiting family and friends.

Some ADUs are fully legal and permitted. Others are not. Your real estate agent will be able to tell you the status of the ADU on any property you view. Just keep in mind: If you buy a property with an unpermitted ʻohana, it becomes your unpermitted ʻohana.

Read more on the Maui County website.

Parcels of Land

Yes, Maui still has vacant land available for sale. When you browse the listings, you might see opportunities to buy an undeveloped parcel for sale in an existing housing development, a larger parcel of agricultural land, or unimproved land just waiting for you to put your stamp on it—just to offer a few examples.

Maui Real Estate Tip: Find out whether your piece of land has a Maui County water meter. If not, you may be in for a long wait—and you may need to set up a catchment system to supply your home with potable water.

The Best Neighborhoods on Maui

It’s hard to beat the weather on Maui. There’s sunshine somewhere on the island just about every single day. If you’re serious about your vitamin D, look at south side locales like Kīhei, Wailea, and Mākena as well as the areas in and around Lāhainā on the island’s west side.

For a lusher, tropical feel, consider Haʻikū, Hāna, and the surrounding areas of east Maui, which get more rain than almost anywhere else on Maui. If you want to capitalize on the views you’ll get from living on the slopes of Mount Haleakalā, consider Upcountry locations like Pukalani, Makawao, and Kula.

The Home-Buying Process on Maui

Ready to take the leap and start searching for a home on Maui in earnest? Before you look at Maui real estate listings, it’s a good idea to get an understanding of the overall home buying process. That way, you’ll be prepared every step of the way toward finding the perfect home on Maui.

If you’ve ever been through the home-buying process on the mainland, you’ll note a number of similarities with how it works on Maui. However, as all Hawaiʻi residents know, things just work a little differently here, and Maui is no exception.

That’s where your real estate agent comes in. The best agents have significant local experience so they know the lay of the land—and specifically how things work on Maui—so you’re prepared at every turn.

Need a Maui real estate agent? Check out our article: How to Find (and Choose!) the Right Hawaiʻi Real Estate Agent. 

Homeownership on Maui

Finally, let’s go over a few specific areas that every potential homeowner on Maui needs to know.

What Is the Maui Property Tax Rate?

Property tax rates are set at the county level in Hawaiʻi. Maui County sets its real property tax rates every fiscal year, so new rates come out every year on July 1.

Maui County property rates are tiered so property owners are charged depending on the value of their properties. As you’ll see in the chart below, the property value up to $1 million is charged at the Tier 1 rate. The property value from $1,000,001 to $3 million is charged at the Tier 2 rate, and the value over $3 million is charged at the Tier 3 rate.

In other words, if your property is worth $1.5 million, the first $1 million is taxed at $1.90 per thousand and the additional $500,000 is taxed at $2.00 per thousand.

You’ll also notice that non-owner-occupied units are charged different tax rates. If you’re considering a second home or an investment property on Maui, it’s important to note that non-owner-occupied units are charged different property tax rates. Additionally, there are also different rates for time shares, long-term rentals, short-term rentals, and other property types. See the complete list here.

Maui County Property Tax Rates as of July 1, 2023

For the most recent rates, visit the Maui County Real Property Assessment Division website.

Will I Need Homeowners’ Insurance?

Most lenders require homeowners’ insurance—and it’s always a smart move with a big investment like a house or a condo. Make sure to factor the cost of homeowners’ insurance into your overall budget.

What About Utility Costs? Is Solar a Possibility?

Hawaii’s electricity rates are among the highest in the nation—about 43 cents per kilowatt hour for residential users. On Maui, you’ll see plenty of homes with solar panels on their roof to take advantage of the island’s abundant sunshine. Buying a place with an existing solar system can offer some cost savings, especially if you also own an electric vehicle.

Eligible Maui customers can also export energy, essentially “selling it back” to Hawaiian Electric. See the current rates and requirements on the Hawaiian Electric website.

Buying Your Perfect Home on Maui

Looking for a new home can trigger the full range of emotions—excitement, nervousness, tension, joy, anticipation, and especially relief, once you find the right spot. Now that you know the ins and outs of the Maui real estate agent, are you ready to take the next step and start searching for your dream home? We’d love to welcome you to the Valley Isle!

Looking for a local Maui moving company? Our Kahului-based team knows the island inside and out. They’d be happy to assist you with a safe, easy, and affordable move to Maui. Just reach out to get started with a free quote.