Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Hilo?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Hilo?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).

Columbia vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/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 $1,220 in Columbia, SC versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 29% higher in Hilo, HI. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,180

+47% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$964

+6% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,283

+10% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,587

+19% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$455,100

+87% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$78,713

+41% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$51,820

+12% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

42.6 yr

+13.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

47.3%

65.5%

+18.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

34.0%

+12.1 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

20.1 min

+2.7 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

245.4

+68% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

2,043.9

+37% in Columbia, SC

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

64.9°F

73.9°F

+9.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

126.7 in

+81.3 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Hilo, HI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

52.7

+239% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$66.84

+130% 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 Columbia, SC

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 (SC / HI)

+2.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

11.00%

+5.0 pp in HI

Columbia vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Hilo?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Hilo?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).