Property Taxes in Lihue
Kauai County's property tax picture runs genuinely low BY RATE -- a cited median effective rate of approximately 0.25%, among the lowest in the nation -- but this record discloses directly that Lihue's genuinely high home values still produce a real, substantial dollar bill for a typical owner.
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Learn moreKauai County's Owner-Occupied Rate and Effective Rate
Kauai County's owner-occupied real property tax rate for fiscal year July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 is $2.59 per $1,000 of net assessed value. Ownwell separately cited Kauai County's median EFFECTIVE property tax rate at approximately 0.25% -- genuinely one of the lowest effective rates in the nation, well below the ~1.02% national comparison figure used consistently across this project's records.
The Real Dollar Burden Given High Home Values
Because Lihue's own home values run genuinely high (a cited single-family median above $1.1 million), the real dollar tax bill a typical owner pays is not trivial even at this low rate -- this record's own calculation on a $1,112,500 home at the 0.25% cited effective rate runs approximately $2,781/year, though the actual bill depends on the specific owner-occupied classification, assessed value, and applicable exemptions.
Real, Current Age-Tiered Homeowner Exemptions
Kauai offers real, current age-tiered homeowner exemptions that meaningfully reduce the bill for qualifying owner-occupant retirees: $240,000 off assessed value for ages 60-69, and $260,000 off for ages 70+ -- a real, disclosed benefit this record discloses directly.
Confirm a Specific Address Directly With the Kauai County Real Property Tax Office
Given the real, disclosed gap between the low RATE and the real dollar bill, buyers and current owners should confirm a specific property's current assessed value, classification, and any applicable exemptions directly with the Kauai County Real Property Tax Office rather than relying on the countywide rate alone.
Key takeaways
- Kauai County's owner-occupied rate is $2.59 per $1,000 of net assessed value for FY 2026-2027; the cited median effective rate runs approximately 0.25%, among the lowest in the nation.
- Because Lihue home values run genuinely high, the real dollar bill (estimated at approximately $2,781/year on a $1,112,500 home) is not trivial even at this low rate.
- Kauai's age-tiered homeowner exemptions ($240,000 off for ages 60-69, $260,000 for ages 70+) meaningfully reduce the bill for qualifying retirees.
- Confirm a specific property's current assessed value, classification, and exemption eligibility directly with the Kauai County Real Property Tax Office.
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