Kailua Kona Real Estate Blog

What Can You Buy In Hawaii For $400K In @026

What Can You Buy in Hawaii for $400K? (Kona vs Other Hawaii Islands Comparison)

Most people assume that $400,000 should buy a comfortable home almost anywhere in the United States. On the mainland, that budget might mean a three bedroom house, a yard, and maybe even a garage. But Hawaii operates under a very different real estate dynamic where land is limited, demand is global, and lifestyle value influences pricing as much as square footage.

So when buyers start exploring Hawaii with a $400K budget, the conversation quickly shifts. Instead of asking how big the house is, buyers begin asking which island provides the best opportunity, where that budget stretches the furthest, and what kind of lifestyle comes with that price point. In 2026, Hawaii…

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The true cost of living in Kailua Kona Hawaii 2026

The TRUE Cost of Living in Kailua Kona 2026 

Have you ever been to Kailua Kona and felt like time slows down the second you land? Like you step outside, feel that warm air, see the ocean in the distance, and immediately start thinking… I could actually live here.

And that’s usually how it starts.

People come here for vacation, they fall in love with the sunsets, the beaches, the vibe, and then on the flight home they start doing the math in their head. Maybe we will sell the house. Maybe we will retire early. Maybe we just move and figure it out.

But here’s what I want to talk about today, because this is the part most people don’t learn until they’re already in deep. Living in Kailua Kona is not just expensive… it’s expensive in very specific…

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Why Are People Leaving Hawaii?

Leaving Hawaii

There are plenty of reasons why people move to Hawaii and we have been covering those reasons for quite some time.   Today we are going to talk about some of the reasons why we are seeing a large number of people departing or leaving Hawaii. 

According to the US Census Bureau the population in Hawaii has been on the decline and between 2020 to 2024 it dropped by 0.6%

Yes, people are leaving paradise for about 6 different reasons that we have noticed during the last several years. 

So why are people leaving Hawaii?

Well, the exodus from Hawaii can be attributed to a combination of social, economic and lifestyle factors.

These reasons do apply to people who have moved here and subsequently…

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Moving To Kona Hawaii - Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving Here

Things I wish I knew before moving to Kona Hawaii

If you are thinking about moving to Kona Hawaii, there are few things I wish I knew before I moved here.  Yes, you can create a happy life here in Kona, but if you had a little more information before you made the leap across the pacific it might be a little easier to make the transition a bit smoother. 

Hi, I am Stephen Proski with Homes In Hawaii For Sale, if you are new to my Website Aloha and if you have been here before you know I am posting info about this beautiful island

If you haven’t heard the Island of Hawaii which is what the Big Island has been called forever has not been named Hawaii.   Yes we are no longer the Island of Hawaii, Just Hawaii

Talk about…

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Moving To Hawaii Avoid These 5 Mistakes

Avoid Moving to Hawaii If You’re Still Making These 5 Mistakes

 Aloha friends! I’m Stephen Proski with Homes in Hawaii For Sale, and let me ask you something: have you ever thought about packing up your life, moving to Hawaii, and starting fresh in paradise?

I hear it all the time. People dream about trading snow shovels for surfboards, trading traffic jams for palm-lined roads, and trading cold winters for sunsets on the beach. And honestly — that dream can become a reality. But here’s the truth: too many people come to Hawaii unprepared, and they make the same five mistakes that can turn paradise into frustration.

So today, I’m going to share the five biggest mistakes people make when moving to Hawaii — and how you can avoid them. If you’re…

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KAILUA KONA REAL ESTATE-WHY YOU WANT TO LIVE HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

Big Island Hawaii 2025 Update | Changes, Costs & WhY YOU WANT TO LIVE HERE

Thinking about living in paradise?
 If you're searching for a location that blends natural beauty, cultural depth, and a relaxing pace of life, Kailua-Kona may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Located on the west side of Hawaiʻi Island — also known as the Big Island — Kailua-Kona offers a unique lifestyle with sunny skies, iconic beaches, and a strong sense of community. Whether you're considering a full-time move, retirement, or real estate investment, this coastal town continues to attract newcomers with its charm and opportunity.

I’m Stephen Proski, Realtor broker with Homes In Hawaii For Sale—where we live by one core value: “Clients First.” 

I help…

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Big Island or Kauai? Best Place To Live

Big Island vs Kauai

Best Place To Live

You want to live in Paradise and can’t decide between the Big Island or Kauai, which is the best place to live?

Well, that is a depends answer and

You must ask yourself

• Do you want seclusion or city life?
• Do you want a nice piece of land with only a few neighbors?
• Do you want the beach a few blocks away?
• Do you need large malls and high-end shops nearby?
• Do you plan on working here or are you retiring?
• Do you require specialty medical care and facilities?
• Do you want blue skies and sunshine or can you deal with loads of wet weather?
• Do you plan to rent or buy?

These are just some of the questions we hope to address in our video today on…

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Safest Cities To Live In Hawaii On The Big Island

Crime in Hawaii

We get asked all the time from people who are considering moving to the Big Island, is Hawaii safe to live?

Well today we are going to address that question and what is surprising out of the 10 safest cities in all of Hawaii, the Big island has 4 of those cities that you might want to consider moving to.

We watch the local news regularly and they are always talking about crime in Hawaii, well as you probably know crime is everywhere even in some of the most expensive communities here and on the mainland. 

No one is totally insulated from crime and if you are considering moving to the Big Island of Hawaii we are considered paradise, but there is crime here as well.

Property crime seems to be the…

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Where are the cheapest places to live on the Big Island of Hawaii?

You don’t need a million dollars to buy a home here on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Yes, you probably have heard Hawaii is one of the most expensive places to buy a home throughout the United States.  

The good news, there are affordable places to live here on the Big Island and today I am going to talk about the cheapest places to live in Hawaii without breaking the bank

Aloha I am Stephen Proski, Real Estate Broker at Compass Hawaii and real estate Kailua Kona.

People constantly hear that Hawaii is unaffordable and they can not buy a home here unless they want to spend over a million dollars.  Yes, it is true the median sales price for homes in Hawaii for the most part are over 1 million dollars like in…

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Hawaii County Property Taxes

Hawaii County Property Taxes

Aloha, friends how to get the lowest possible property taxes for your Big Island property

So, we are going to look at the property classes and tax rates for each category here on the Big Island and discuss some of the ways to get the lowest possible tax rate and how to go about doing that for your residence

The first thing we are going to discuss the property tax classes and what their rates of taxes are.

Remember these rates are on the tax assessed values set by the county and not the actual price you paid for your property, what redfin and Zillow says its worth,  or an appraised value.   Since the County assessed values are typically lagging behind, the assessed valued…

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