salaryHilo is the 3rd-largest city in Hawaii that we track, with 50,404 residents. Rent is lower than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,080 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Hawaii. It is number 6 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hilo?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hilo
| Size | Hilo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,208 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,003 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,397 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,874 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,828 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hilo overall?
Everyday prices in Hawaii overall are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Hilo, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Hilo
Life in Hilo
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hilo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,849 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $483,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hilo, HI?
Renting in Hilo costs a median of about $1,502 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Hilo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,080 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hilo cheap or expensive?
Hilo is rated OK: rent takes 20.4% of the typical household income of $88,199. It ranks 6th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hilo?
The median homeowner in Hilo pays $1,294 a year in property taxes, about 0.27% of the median home value.
Is Hilo more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Hawaii are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Hilo?
The median home value in Hilo is $483,000, about 5.5 times the typical yearly household income.
50,404 people live in Hilo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.