City Comparison
Honolulu vs Hilo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
Hilo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hilo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Honolulu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Honolulu's average rent is
50% higher than Hilo's.
| Metric | Honolulu | Hilo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,466 | +50% |
| Groceries | $520 | $600 | -13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $475 | -56% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,891 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 146 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Honolulu offers 70% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Honolulu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $98,000 in Hilo.
| Metric | Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $41,708 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $98,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 28,567 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $81,779 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Honolulu runs warmer on average — a 76.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Honolulu comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Honolulu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Honolulu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Hilo.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Honolulu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Honolulu | Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 50,404 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 42.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Honolulu
Advantages
Year-round tropical climate with average temperatures around 76.5°F and abundant sunshine.
World-class outdoor recreation including pristine beaches, surfing spots, and scenic mountain hiking trails.
Extremely low rates of violent crime compared to mainland U.S. metropolitan areas of similar size.
Diverse and vibrant multicultural community centered around the unique Aloha spirit.
Serves as the economic, educational, and advanced healthcare hub of the entire Pacific region.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses than the national U.S. average.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major island thoroughfares.
High utility and grocery costs driven by the logistical challenges of island importation.
Limited geographic expansion space for housing, contributing to severe real estate supply constraints.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and natural climate disruptions.
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.
Honolulu
#540Hawaii, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
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
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