What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Hilo has an overall cost of living index of 136, which is 1.4x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Hawaii, Hilo has a cost of living index that's 0.8x lower than Hawaii's index of 163.
The standard of living in Hilo ranks as #2 most affordable out of the 52 places we measured in Hawaii. By definition, that implies Hilo ranks as the #50 most expensive place in the Aloha State.
For more reading on life in Hilo, check out:
Hilo Cost Of Living Vs. Hawaii
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Hilo. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Hilo is 125.
The Groceries index in Hilo is 117.
The Health index in Hilo is 162.
The Housing index in Hilo is 121.
The Transportation index in Hilo is 131.
The Utilities index in Hilo is 125.
| Living Expense | Hilo | Hawaii | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 136 | 163 | 100 |
| Services | 125 | 124 | 100 |
| Groceries | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Health | 162 | 253 | 100 |
| Housing | 121 | 123 | 100 |
| Transportation | 131 | 132 | 100 |
| Utilities | 125 | 128 | 100 |
Hilo Cost Of Living Compared To Hawaii Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Hawaii, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Hilo Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Hilo, HI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Hawaii, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Hilo is $548,367.
The Median Rent in Hilo is $1,427.
The Median Income in Hilo is $81,779.
The Home Value To Income in Hilo is 6.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Hilo is 0.21x.
Hilo, HI Costs By Category
Detailed Hilo Services costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Hilo Groceries costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Hilo Health costs vs. Hawaii
Detailed Hilo Transportation costs vs. Hawaii
Hilo SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Hilo
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Hilo. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI has a cost of living index of 132, 1.0x Hilo.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Hilo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI | 13,203 | 132 | 1.0x |
