Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Hilo?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Hilo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Hilo?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Allentown, PA versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 32% higher in Hilo, HI. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,180

+13% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$964

+12% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,283

+1% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,587

+11% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$455,100

+141% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$78,713

+47% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,820

+6% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

42.6 yr

+10.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

42.3%

65.5%

+23.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

34.0%

+14.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

24.8 min

20.1 min

+4.7 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

245.4

+11% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,043.9

+28% in Hilo, HI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.2°F

73.9°F

+22.7°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

126.7 in

+81.4 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Hilo, HI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

52.0

+141% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$70.84

+270% in Hilo, HI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Hilo, HI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / HI)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

11.00%

+7.9 pp in HI

Allentown vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Hilo?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Hilo?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).