Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Hilo?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Hilo?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 10% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,180

+7% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$964

+4% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,283

+8% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,587

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$455,100

+97% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$78,713

+10% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$51,820

+4% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

42.6 yr

+6.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

about equal

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

34.0%

+0.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.8 min

20.1 min

+0.7 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

245.4

+143% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,043.9

+78% 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

51.1°F

73.9°F

+22.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

126.7 in

+96.1 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Hilo, HI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

52.0

+283% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$70.84

+356% 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)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Hilo, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / HI)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

11.00%

+6.5 pp in HI

Bellevue vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Hilo?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Hilo?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).