The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 96721 sells for about $525,000, or $385 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,150 a month.
ZIP 96721 — Hilo
The Hilo housing market in 96721 remains stable with modest price appreciation and limited inventory. Demand continues to be driven by local employment and the limited supply of available housing, though high insurance costs and natural hazard risks remain significant factors for buyers.
This ZIP is well-suited for local families, retirees, and those working in the Hilo government or education sectors who value proximity to the island's primary commercial and administrative hub.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 4.9 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
19% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 13.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 96721, Hawaii County, HI
Crime rates in Hilo are generally consistent with regional averages for Hawaii County, with property crime being the most frequently reported concern.
Public schools in the Hilo area are part of the Hawaii Department of Education, with performance ratings varying significantly across individual campuses.
The area faces significant natural hazard risks, including volcanic activity, high rainfall, and potential for tropical storms, which influence insurance availability and premiums.
Economic momentum is driven by government services, education, and tourism, with limited large-scale industrial development occurring within the ZIP.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Hawaii) — Real Property Tax: Tax is calculated by applying county-specific tax rates to the assessed value of the property. The formula is (Assessed Value - Exemptions) * Tax Rate. Exemptions include homestead exemptions for owner-occupants, which vary by county.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with most residents traveling within the Hilo urban area for employment and services.
The area features proximity to Hilo Bay, numerous tropical parks, the Hilo Farmers Market, and access to outdoor activities like hiking and coastal exploration.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and limited supply, with significant interest from both long-term residents and short-term rental operators.
The economy is anchored by the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo Medical Center, and various state and county government offices.
null
Development is largely focused on infill projects and infrastructure maintenance rather than large-scale new residential master-planned communities.
null
Parcels are subject to Hawaii County property tax assessments and standard state-level utility and school district oversight.
Property insurance is highly sensitive to volcanic and storm risk, often requiring specialized coverage and resulting in higher-than-average premiums.
null
null
null
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 96721 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Escape Hilo52.5 mi
- Countryside Cafe (Kea'au Location)4.56.5 mi
- WSW Steakhouse Restaurant | Whiskey Steak Wine3.91.3 mi
- Palace Theater4.72.4 mi
- Lam's Garden4.32.3 mi
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park4.611.7 mi
- Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden4.87.2 mi
- Kaūmana Caves4.75.6 mi
- Richardson Ocean Park4.72.8 mi
- Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens4.64.5 mi
- Imiloa Astronomy Center4.52.7 mi
- Pacific Tsunami Museum4.42.5 mi
- Lyman Museum4.82.7 mi
- Mokupāpapa Discovery Center4.72.5 mi
- Wailoa Art Center4.71.7 mi
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park4.611.7 mi
- Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden4.87.2 mi
- Carlsmith Beach Park4.71.9 mi
- Kaūmana Caves4.75.6 mi
- Richardson Ocean Park4.72.8 mi
- Hilo Municipal Golf Course4.23.1 mi
- Hilo Farmer's Market4.42.3 mi
- Safeway4.31.3 mi
- KTA Super Stores - Puainako4.41.9 mi
- Suisan Fish Market4.61.4 mi
- Island Naturals Market & Deli4.41.7 mi
- Hilo International Airport4.40.5 mi
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters4.80.5 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major local attraction featuring fresh produce and local crafts.
A historic Japanese-style garden located along the Hilo waterfront.
A major anchor institution providing employment and cultural events.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.