Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Hilo?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Hilo?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 34% higher in Hilo, HI. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,180

+49% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$817

$964

+18% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,283

+25% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,587

+29% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$455,100

+111% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$78,713

+52% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$51,820

+3% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

42.6 yr

+9.6 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

38.9%

65.5%

+26.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

34.0%

+7.3 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

20.1 min

+3.0 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

245.4

+71% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

2,043.9

+47% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.3°F

73.9°F

+19.6°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

126.7 in

+84.8 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.09/gal

+22% in Hilo, HI

Area: Ohio vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

52.0

+166% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$70.84

+210% 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 Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

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 (OH / HI)

5.75%

+1.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

11.00%

+8.3 pp in HI

Cincinnati vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Hilo?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Hilo?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).