Hawaii · County intelligence
Kauai County vacation rental market
2 tracked short-term rental markets sit inside Kauai County. Across them, nightly rates model at $349 and occupancy at 68%, for roughly $86,500 of gross annual revenue on a three-bedroom home.
Markets in Kauai County
| # | Market | Modelled annual revenue | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeville, HIKauai County | $95,600 | $385 | 68% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 2 | Kapaa, HIKauai County | $77,400 | $312 | 68% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
Why the county matters
Short-term rental rules in Kauai County rarely sit in one place. A home inside an incorporated city usually answers to that city's ordinance, while a home in unincorporated Kauai County answers to the county — often with different licence, inspection and minimum-stay requirements. County-level tourist development tax normally applies either way, on top of state sales tax.
Before buying, confirm two things: which jurisdiction the parcel actually sits in, and whether that jurisdiction caps or zones short-term rentals.
Rule status by market
- PrincevilleStatus unpublished
- KapaaStatus unpublished
We have not yet verified an official Kauai County ordinance against a primary source, so no rule position is stated here. Always confirm with the county before committing.
Operating costs are modelled at 32% of gross revenue for a nightly rental (cleaning, supplies, utilities, platform fees, maintenance, insurance) and 14% for a monthly rental. Financing assumes a 25% down payment and a 30-year loan at 7%. These are planning assumptions, not quotes — replace them with your own numbers.
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