Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Hilo?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Hilo?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 28% higher in Hilo, HI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,180

+43% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$875

$964

+10% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,283

+29% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,587

+30% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$455,100

+150% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$78,713

+39% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$51,820

+19% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

42.6 yr

+7.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

50.2%

65.5%

+15.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

34.0%

+4.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.2 min

20.1 min

+0.1 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

245.4

+60% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

2,043.9

+10% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

73.9°F

+8.2°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

126.7 in

+80.0 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)

15.8

52.0

+228% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$70.84

+113% 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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / HI)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

11.00%

+5.8 pp in HI

Columbus vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Hilo?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Hilo?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).