City Comparison
Mililani Town vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mililani Town scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mililani Town
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Mililani Town.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mililani Town's average rent is
64% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Mililani Town | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,466 | +64% |
| Groceries | $550 | $600 | -8% |
| Utilities | $220 | $475 | -54% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,600 | $2,891 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mililani Town offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mililani Town delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mililani Town is estimated at
$72,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Mililani Town | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,571 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mililani Town runs warmer on average — a 74.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mililani Town comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mililani Town sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mililani Town | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| 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 Mililani Town.
Mililani Town scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mililani Town leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mililani Town | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Mililani Town.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Mililani Town | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,500 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mililani Town
Advantages
Master-planned community design featuring numerous parks, recreation centers, and community pools.
Consistently lower crime rates compared to major urban centers on Oahu.
Convenient central location with direct access to the H-2 Freeway for commuting.
Strong local public and private school options serving families.
Active community associations that maintain high neighborhood aesthetic and safety standards.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. mainland average.
Heavy traffic congestion on the H-2 Freeway during peak morning and afternoon commute hours.
Mandatory association fees and strict neighborhood bylaws governing property appearance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within the town limits.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to moderate public transit walkability.
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.
Mililani Town
#490Hawaii, USA
53.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
74.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
81
Business
68
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
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