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First-time home buyer programs in Honolulu, HI

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Honolulu, HI can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $1,249,125 Honolulu County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $834,100 median home, 3% down is about $25,023 and the estimated payment is $6,135/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $85,428; value-to-income ratio 9.76. Honolulu ranks 12 by home value and 1 by population among 35 places in our HI dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Honolulu home?

ItemHonolulu
Median home value (Census ACS)$834,100
Hawaii median home value$808,200
Down payment (3%)$25,023
Loan amount$809,077
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$6,135
Income needed (28% / 36%)$263,000 / $205,000
Honolulu County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$1,249,125
Max purchase price at the limit$1,287,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Hawaii's 0.27% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,549/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Honolulu?

Honolulu is in Honolulu County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $1,249,125 conforming limit (price ≈ $1,287,000); FHA loans go up to $828,000.

The Honolulu median home value of $834,100 is 3% above the Hawaii median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Honolulu buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

HalawaKaneoheWaimaluEast HonoluluKailuaPearl City

First-time buyer loan FAQs for Honolulu

On the $834,100 median: 3% conventional ≈ $25,023, 3.5% FHA ≈ $29,194, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $1,249,125 in Honolulu County become jumbo loans.

At the $834,100 median value (close to the Hawaii median of $808,200), the estimated payment of $6,135/month at 7.18% needs about $263,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $205,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 1 county-level and 0 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.