Quick answer
Residential windward side, 30 min from downtown. 1BR $1,950–2,400/mo. Quieter, family-friendly, good schools, Kailua Beach rated best in Hawaii. Longer commute to downtown jobs.
Neighborhood Guide · 2026
Kailua, Honolulu
Residential windward side, 30 min from downtown. 1BR $1,950–2,400/mo. Quieter, family-friendly, good schools, Kailua Beach rated best in Hawaii. Longer commute to downtown jobs.
Honolulu Housing Costs — 2026
Median 1BR rent
$2,100/mo
Median 2BR rent
$2,850/mo
Median home price
$875K
Avg utilities
$285/mo
City-wide medians. Kailua rents may vary above or below depending on building vintage and unit type.Full Honolulu breakdown →
Other Neighborhoods in Honolulu
Compare Kailua with other popular areas.
Kakaako
Waterfront redevelopment with art galleries, breweries, restaurants. 1BR $2,400–2,800/mo. Vibrant, walkable, young professional crowd. Gentrifying rapidly; long-term local character is fading.
Ala Moana
Busy commercial district with shopping center, hotels, restaurants. 1BR $2,100–2,600/mo. Walk score 68. Convenient to Honolulu Airport (20 min drive), but touristy and loud.
Waikiki
Tourist destination with high-rise hotels, bars, beaches. 1BR $2,000–2,400/mo — competitive for value because tourism drives supply. Loud, crowded, touristy; locals avoid it.
Manoa
Leafy residential neighborhood near University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Park. 1BR $2,100–2,500/mo. Quiet, good hiking, student population. Rainy (Manoa Valley is a rain sink), so bring umbrella.
Diamond Head
Upscale residential with 360° views, hiking trail, quiet streets. 1BR $2,300–2,800/mo. Expensive, scenic, peaceful. Older demographic (30s–50s) vs. younger in Kakaako.
Pearl City
Central Oahu suburbs, 20 min from downtown. 1BR $1,700–2,100/mo. Family-friendly, shopping center nearby, less touristy. Car-dependent, longer commute to Honolulu jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kailua a good neighborhood in Honolulu?
Residential windward side, 30 min from downtown. 1BR $1,950–2,400/mo. Quieter, family-friendly, good schools, Kailua Beach rated best in Hawaii. Longer commute to downtown jobs.
What is the rent in Kailua, Honolulu?
Honolulu citywide median 1BR rent is $2,100/mo. Kailua pricing varies from the city average depending on building age, proximity to transit, and in-unit amenities. Studio units in Honolulu often run 15–20% below the 1BR median.
What is Kailua in Honolulu known for?
Residential windward side, 30 min from downtown. 1BR $1,950–2,400/mo. Quieter, family-friendly, good schools, Kailua Beach rated best in Hawaii. Longer commute to downtown jobs.
How does Kailua compare to other Honolulu neighborhoods?
Kailua is one of 7 notable neighborhoods in Honolulu. Other options include Kakaako, Ala Moana, Waikiki.
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