Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Hilo?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Hilo?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).

Cedar Rapids vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 14% higher in Hilo, HI. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,180

+79% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$716

$964

+35% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,283

+29% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,587

+19% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$455,100

+157% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$78,713

+16% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$51,820

+5% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

42.6 yr

+5.7 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

68.2%

65.5%

+2.7 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

34.0%

+1.1 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

18.2 min

20.1 min

+1.9 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

245.4

+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Property Crime

2,726

2,043.9

+25% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

48.2°F

73.9°F

+25.7°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

126.7 in

+92.1 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Hilo, HI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

52.7

+231% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$66.84

+202% 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 Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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 (IA / HI)

+2.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

11.00%

+7.2 pp in HI

Cedar Rapids vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Hilo?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Hilo?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).