Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Hilo?

Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $27,000 a year in Charleston versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Hilo?

Charleston is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).

Charleston vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

West Virginia

$860/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 $860 in Charleston, WV versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Charleston, WV is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $64,512 in Charleston, WV and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 18% higher in Hilo, HI. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Charleston, WV

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$630

$1,180

+87% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$668

$964

+44% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,283

+31% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,139

$1,587

+39% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$187,300

$455,100

+143% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$64,512

$78,713

+22% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,830

$51,820

+13% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

about equal

Homeownership

62.8%

65.5%

+2.7 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

34.0%

+10.1 pp in Charleston, WV

Avg Commute

17.9 min

20.1 min

+2.2 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

542.7

245.4

+55% in Charleston, WV

Property Crime

3,148

2,043.9

+35% in Charleston, WV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.7°F

73.9°F

+18.2°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

44.0 in

126.7 in

+82.7 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)

16.8

52.0

+210% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.68

$70.84

+187% 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 Charleston, WV

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 (WV / HI)

+2.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.82%

11.00%

+6.2 pp in HI

Charleston vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Hilo?: Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charleston than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $27,000 a year in Charleston versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Hilo?: Charleston is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).