Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Hilo?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Hilo?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 38% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$1,180

+47% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$964

+61% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,283

+57% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,587

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$455,100

+56% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$78,713

+38% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$51,820

+22% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

42.6 yr

+12.1 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

33.7%

65.5%

+31.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

34.0%

+46.2 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

20.1 min

+6.0 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

245.4

+44% in Cambridge, MA

Property Crime

2,657.6

2,043.9

+23% in Cambridge, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

73.9°F

+22.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

126.7 in

+82.9 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$5.21/gal

+28% in Hilo, HI

Area: Massachusetts vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

52.7

+78% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$66.84

+118% 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 Cambridge, MA

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 (MA / HI)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

11.00%

+2.0 pp in HI

Cambridge vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Hilo?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Hilo?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).