Thinking about trading the mainland pace for the South Shore rhythm? Kōloa’s beauty is real, and so are the numbers that shape your day‑to‑day budget. If you plan ahead, you can enjoy the lifestyle without surprises. In this guide, you’ll see where the big costs live, how to estimate monthly bills, and what one‑time expenses to expect when you move.
Let’s dive in.
Housing market reality
Kōloa and nearby Poʻipū sit in a premium pocket of Kauaʻi. Home prices often land in the mid six figures to multi‑million dollars, and monthly carrying costs can vary as much as the homes themselves. As a live snapshot, Zillow reports a typical Kōloa home value around $1.21M as of January 31, 2026, and reminds readers that small‑market medians can swing month to month. You can check current trends on the Kōloa home values page.
What does that mean for you? If you are buying, build a buffer for closing costs, higher maintenance in a coastal climate, and insurance that reflects wind or flood risk. If you are renting, be ready for premium pricing in visitor‑adjacent neighborhoods and more residential inland options.
Property taxes in Kauaʻi County
Kauaʻi taxes properties by class and applies a rate per $1,000 of assessed value. For FY2025–26, key rates per $1,000 include: Owner‑occupied at $2.59; Non‑owner‑occupied residential tiers at $5.45, $6.05, and $9.40; Vacation rental tiers at $11.30, $11.75, and $12.20; Hotel & Resort at $11.75; and Commercial/Industrial at $8.10. See the full table in the County’s resolution and confirm your classification before you budget. You can review the official schedule in the Kauaʻi County real property tax resolution.
Quick tax examples
- Owner‑occupied: A $1,000,000 primary home would be about 1,000 × $2.59 = $2,590 per year before exemptions.
- Non‑owner‑occupied residential (Tier 1 rate used for illustration): A $1,000,000 second home would be about 1,000 × $5.45 = $5,450 per year.
- Vacation rental class (Tier 1 rate used for illustration): A $1,000,000 STR‑classified property would be about 1,000 × $11.30 = $11,300 per year.
Always verify your property’s class and any applicable exemptions with the County before you finalize numbers.
Monthly utilities you should expect
Electricity
Power is often your largest utility line item on Kauaʻi. Residential rates commonly fall in the mid $0.30s to low $0.40s per kWh. Many households see bills in the low to mid $200s per month, but usage, home size, and air‑conditioning can move that higher. You can view current rates on the KIUC rates page.
Sample math to size your bill:
- At $0.40/kWh and 500 kWh in a month, you’d spend about $200 before taxes and fees.
- At $0.40/kWh and 800 kWh, your bill is about $320.
Solar and battery systems are common strategies to manage costs.
Water and sewer
Water is billed by the County with a monthly service charge plus tiered usage rates. The exact total depends on your meter size and gallons used. Review meter charges and block pricing on the Kauaʻi Department of Water rates page.
Sewer service follows an adopted multi‑year increase schedule. For FY2025–26, the residential monthly sewer charge is $82.00. Billing cadence can vary, so confirm with the County when you set up service. See recent updates in the County’s sewer rate notice.
Internet, phone, and TV
Service options can vary by street. Many Kōloa and Poʻipū addresses have cable or fiber, while more rural pockets may rely on fixed‑wireless or satellite. Typical home internet plans range from about $50 to $100+ per month depending on speed and provider. Check availability at your exact address using an island coverage aggregator before you commit.
Trash and routine upkeep
Trash service may be handled by a private hauler, your HOA, or individual trips to a transfer station. Ask your agent or HOA for the current setup and monthly cost. For maintenance, a simple planning rule many owners use is to set aside about 1 percent of a home’s value per year for routine work, and more for coastal homes that see salt, humidity, and termite pressure. Exterior paint, metal fixtures, gates, and HVAC components can need attention sooner in this climate.
Insurance
Homeowner and wind coverage can be higher than many mainland markets. Flood insurance may be required or strongly recommended depending on your flood zone and elevation. Get quotes tied to a specific property address early in your search so you can compare total monthly carrying costs.
Short‑term rental taxes to know
If you plan to operate a legal short‑term rental, model the full tax stack on your gross receipts. Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax increased to 11.0% on January 1, 2026, and counties, including Kauaʻi, apply a county TAT surcharge on top. Review the state update in this Bloomberg Tax summary.
Short‑term rentals also owe Hawaii’s General Excise Tax. On Kauaʻi, the effective GET is commonly around 4.5% for business receipts. GET and TAT are separate, with different filings and rules. Platforms may remit some taxes, but you remain responsible for registration and compliance. For a good overview, see this GET and TAT context.
Moving and transportation costs
Shipping household goods
Ocean shipping and move logistics add meaningful one‑time costs. Guides show a wide range because pricing depends on origin port, container size, weight, and season. Plan for something in the $1,500 to $12,000+ range for household goods in typical cases, with full‑service moves costing more. Get at least two written quotes. A helpful overview is this Hawaii moving cost guide.
Vehicles and getting around
Shipping a car is common. Ask ocean carriers or brokers for terminal‑to‑terminal quotes, insurance details, and schedules, and budget for any interisland barge fees if routing through Oʻahu. After you arrive, remember that island fuel and maintenance often cost more than the mainland. Some households find they can operate with one vehicle plus bikes or rideshare, depending on location and routine.
Everyday spending on Kauaʻi
Groceries, dining out, building materials, and many services typically cost more than the U.S. average. The Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Regional Price Parities show Hawaii’s overall price level runs above the national baseline. You can see the state‑level comparison in the latest BEA report.
Three real‑world budget examples
These examples are not quotes. They show how to organize your budget using current public rates and typical Kauaʻi conditions. Always verify numbers for a specific property and billing period.
Example A: 1‑bed condo in Kōloa, owner‑occupied
- Purchase context: Compact, efficient footprint with ceiling fans and no daily AC use.
- Property tax: If assessed at $900,000 and owner‑occupied, estimate 900 × $2.59 = $2,331/year. Source: County tax rates.
- Electricity: Light usage around 500 kWh/month at $0.40/kWh ≈ $200/month. Source: KIUC rates.
- Water: Monthly service charge plus tiered gallons. Check your meter size on the DOW rates page.
- Sewer: $82/month under the FY2025–26 schedule. Source: County notice.
- Internet: Plan for $50–$100+ depending on provider and speed. Confirm at address using an availability check.
- Maintenance reserve: Budget around 1 percent of value annually, adjusted upward for coastal wear.
Example B: 3‑bed single‑family in Poʻipū/Kōloa, owner‑occupied
- Purchase context: Larger footprint, occasional AC, landscaped yard.
- Property tax: If assessed at $1,600,000 and owner‑occupied, estimate 1,600 × $2.59 = $4,144/year. Source: County tax rates.
- Electricity: Moderate usage around 800–1,100 kWh/month at $0.40/kWh ≈ $320–$440/month. Source: KIUC rates.
- Water: Service charge plus tiered usage; irrigation can push usage higher. See DOW rates.
- Sewer: $82/month under the current schedule. Source: County notice.
- Internet: $70–$120+ depending on plan and bundling. Verify at address.
- Maintenance reserve: Plan for at least 1 percent of value annually. Coastal climates often justify 2 percent to cover exterior paint cycles, gate and hardware corrosion, and HVAC service.
Example C: Legal vacation‑rental condo in a visitor area
- Purchase context: Operated as a short‑term rental where allowed by zoning and HOA rules.
- Property tax: If assessed at $1,200,000 and classified as vacation rental, Tier 1 example 1,200 × $11.30 = $13,560/year. Source: County tax rates.
- Electricity: Usage varies with guest behavior and AC. At 1,000 kWh/month and $0.40/kWh ≈ $400/month. Source: KIUC rates.
- Water and sewer: Budget for the monthly service charge, tiered usage, and $82/month for sewer under the current schedule. Sources: DOW rates and County notice.
- Internet: Reliable high‑speed service is essential. Expect $80–$140+ depending on speed and provider.
- Taxes on gross rent: TAT at 11.0% plus the Kauaʻi county TAT surcharge, and GET around 4.5%. Sources: TAT update and GET context.
- Maintenance reserve: Plan toward the higher end of your range. High guest turnover accelerates wear on finishes, appliances, and linens.
Kōloa relocation budgeting checklist
Use this quick list to confirm your numbers on a specific property.
- Housing comps: Review current Kōloa and Poʻipū prices on live market pages and local MLS data.
- Property tax class: Confirm owner‑occupied, non‑owner‑occupied, vacation‑rental, or other class and apply the current County rate per $1,000.
- Electricity: Multiply your expected monthly kWh by the current KIUC rate. Run a second scenario if you plan to add AC.
- Water and sewer: Look up your meter size and estimate tiered gallons. Add the current residential sewer charge.
- Internet: Check availability and plan pricing by exact address before you move.
- Insurance: Get quotes for homeowner, wind, and flood tied to the property’s elevation and flood zone.
- Maintenance reserve: Set an annual reserve of 1–2 percent of property value to reflect coastal conditions.
- Moving quotes: Get at least two quotes for household goods and vehicle shipping.
- STR taxes and filings: If applicable, model TAT, county TAT surcharge, and GET on projected gross rent. Confirm registration and filing needs.
Ready to run numbers on a specific Kōloa address or compare neighborhoods by total monthly cost? Reach out to Kelly Liberatore for local insight, property‑by‑property estimates, and steady guidance from search through closing.
FAQs
What are typical home prices in Kōloa today?
- Prices vary by property type and location, but a live snapshot shows a typical Kōloa home value around $1.21M as of January 31, 2026; check the Zillow Kōloa page for current data.
How are Kauaʻi property taxes calculated for my home?
- The County applies a rate per $1,000 of assessed value based on your property class; for FY2025–26, owner‑occupied is $2.59 per $1,000, while non‑owner and vacation rental classes are higher per the official rate table.
How much will electricity cost on Kauaʻi?
- Many households see bills in the low to mid $200s, but usage, AC, and home size can shift totals; multiply your expected kWh by the current KIUC rate from the rates page to estimate.
What should I budget for water and sewer in Kōloa?
- Water has a monthly service charge plus tiered usage pricing, and the FY2025–26 residential sewer charge is $82 per month; review details on the Department of Water rates and the County sewer notice.
What taxes apply to a legal short‑term rental on Kauaʻi?
- You’ll model Hawaii’s TAT at 11.0% plus the Kauaʻi county TAT surcharge, and the GET around 4.5% on gross receipts; see the TAT update and GET context.
How much does it cost to move my household to Kauaʻi?
- Depending on origin, container size, and season, household‑goods shipping can range from about $1,500 to $12,000+; get multiple quotes and review the Hawaii moving cost guide.
