Best Neighborhoods for Young Professionals in Kailua, HI
25 neighborhoods ranked by walkability, transit access, bikeability, job market, and affordable rent — the metrics that matter most to young professionals starting their careers.
Young Professional Neighborhoods in Kailua — Key Takeaways
The best neighborhood for young professionals in Kailua is Volcano Golf Course CDP with a YP Score of 100/100. The most affordable rent is in Keaau CDP at $531/month.
The unemployment rate in Kailua is 2.1%, 43% below the national average of 3.7%. The citywide median rent is $3,501/month (national average: $1,163). Median household income is $98,750.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Walk Score, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and BLS. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Young Professionals
| # | Neighborhood | YP Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcano Golf Course CDP | 100 | ||
| Keaau CDP | 89 | ||
| Royal Hawaiian Estates CDP | 86 | ||
4 | Kaumakani CDP | 77 | |
5 | Hawaiian Paradise Park CDP | 76 | |
6 | Paukaa CDP | 73 | |
7 | Waimanalo Beach CDP | 69 | |
8 | Naalehu CDP | 66 | |
9 | Waipio Acres CDP | 62 | |
10 | Ahuimanu CDP | 61 | |
11 | Hawaiian Acres CDP | 60 | |
12 | Papaikou CDP | 59 | |
13 | Waihee-Waiehu CDP | 58 | |
14 | Kualapuu CDP | 58 | |
15 | Waimanalo CDP | 58 | |
16 | Wailua Homesteads CDP | 58 | |
17 | Anahola CDP | 54 | |
18 | Puhi CDP | 53 | |
19 | Mililani Mauka CDP | 53 | |
20 | Mililani Town CDP | 51 | |
21 | Ewa Gentry CDP | 49 | |
22 | Ewa Beach CDP | 48 | |
23 | Pahala CDP | 40 | |
24 | Waikoloa Beach Resort CDP | 33 | |
25 | Launiupoko CDP | 18 |
Rankings by Category
Top 5 neighborhoods in Kailua for each young professional metric.
Lowest unemployment rate
- 0.5%
- 1.7%
- 1.9%
- 1.9%
- 1.9%
Lowest median rent
- $531
- $605
- $900
- $1,016
- $1,087
Lowest violent crime rate
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
Highest median household income
- $171,875
- $133,799
- $132,043
- $127,143
- $125,300
Lowest median home value
- $190,100
- $203,200
- $204,000
- $234,000
- $298,500
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Young Professional (YP) Score, a composite index that prioritizes the metrics most important to early-career professionals choosing where to live:
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 25% weight
- Transit Access (Transit Score)
- 20% weight
- Job Market (Unemployment Rate)
- 20% weight
- Affordable Rent (Median Rent)
- 20% weight
- Bikeability (Bike Score)
- 15% weight
Walkability is weighted highest because young professionals tend to prefer neighborhoods where daily errands, dining, and entertainment are accessible on foot. Transit and bikeability scores reflect commute flexibility without car ownership. The job market factor rewards low unemployment, while affordable rent ensures neighborhoods are financially accessible to early-career earners.
Data Sources: Walk Score (walkability, transit, and bike scores), US Census Bureau American Community Survey (median rent, unemployment rate), FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (crime rates), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). All data is updated on a rolling basis as new releases become available.