City Comparison
Hilo vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hilo
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Hilo.
| Metric | Hilo | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,466 | $1,400 | +5% |
| Groceries | $600 | $400 | +50% |
| Utilities | $475 | $236 | +101% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,406 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 146 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hilo is estimated at
$98,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Hilo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,708 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $98,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 28,567 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $81,779 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hilo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Hilo.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hilo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 23.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hilo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,404 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hilo
Advantages
Hilo boasts a lush, tropical environment with abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The city is a cultural hub, hosting significant events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
The job market in Hilo saw a healthy employment growth rate of 4.88% from 2023 to 2024.
Healthcare and Educational Services are strong and growing industries, offering stable employment opportunities.
The homeownership rate in Hilo is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Hilo is significantly higher than the national average, particularly for housing, utilities, and groceries.
Hilo has a high property crime rate, which is 41% higher than the national average, making residents more susceptible to theft.
Public transportation is minimal and unreliable, making the city largely car-dependent for daily errands and commutes.
Utility costs, especially for electricity, are exceptionally high due to reliance on imported fuel.
The average rent for apartments, particularly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, is considerably higher than many mainland cities.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hilo
#601Hawaii, USA
39.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,466
Avg Salary
$41,708
Cost Index
146
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
23.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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