Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Hilo?

Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Hilo?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Birmingham vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/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 $1,190 in Birmingham, AL versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 44% higher in Hilo, HI. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$857

$1,180

+38% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$964

+4% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,283

+28% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,587

+34% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$455,100

+228% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$78,713

+77% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$51,820

+8% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

42.6 yr

+6.7 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

45.1%

65.5%

+20.4 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

34.0%

+3.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

21.5 min

20.1 min

+1.4 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

245.4

+81% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

2,043.9

+52% in Birmingham, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.3°F

73.9°F

+10.6°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

126.7 in

+73.0 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.09/gal

+40% in Hilo, HI

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

52.0

+210% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.64

$70.84

+213% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Hilo, HI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Birmingham, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Hilo, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Hilo, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / HI)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

11.00%

+6.0 pp in HI

Birmingham vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Hilo?: Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Hilo?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).