City Comparison
East Honolulu vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
East Honolulu
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in East Honolulu.
Housing costs are a major driver: East Honolulu's average rent is
81% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | East Honolulu | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,650 | $1,466 | +81% |
| Groceries | $600 | $600 | 0% |
| Utilities | $280 | $475 | -41% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $320 | $200 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $4,000 | $2,891 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 185 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
East Honolulu offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, East Honolulu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in East Honolulu is estimated at
$85,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | East Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,162 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $118,500 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
East Honolulu runs warmer on average — a 76.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, East Honolulu comes out ahead with 162 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — East Honolulu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | East Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 70.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 162 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to East Honolulu.
East Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, East Honolulu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | East Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, East Honolulu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | East Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,914 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 47.5 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Honolulu
Advantages
Extremely low violent crime rates make East Honolulu one of the safest communities in the state.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions like Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater Regional Park.
Highly rated public school district options compared to other parts of Oahu.
Stunning coastal and valley views with a strong neighborhood sense of community.
Abundant outdoor water sports and recreation directly integrated into daily life.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices than the U.S. national average.
Heavy reliance on Kalanianaole Highway leads to severe daily commuter traffic bottlenecks.
High cost of imported goods, groceries, and electricity.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within the East Honolulu area proper.
Vulnerability to natural hazards such as coastal erosion and tropical storms.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
East Honolulu
#453Hawaii, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
185
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
162/yr
Avg Temp
76.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between East Honolulu and Hilo.
Open Cost Calculator