Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Hilo?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Hilo?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).

Chicago vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 5% higher in Hilo, HI. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,180

+1% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$964

+23% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,283

+9% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,587

+2% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$455,100

+44% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$78,713

+5% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,820

+5% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

42.6 yr

+6.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

45.5%

65.5%

+20.0 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

34.0%

+9.3 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

20.1 min

+13.4 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

245.4

+55% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,043.9

+41% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

73.9°F

+21.2°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

126.7 in

+88.8 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$5.09/gal

+19% in Hilo, HI

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

52.0

+118% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$70.84

+360% 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 Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

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 (IL / HI)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

11.00%

+6.0 pp in HI

Chicago vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Hilo?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Hilo?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).