Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Hilo?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Hilo?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Cranston, RI versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 10% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

—

$1,180

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$964

+7% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$1,283

+11% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,587

+6% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$455,100

+30% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$78,713

+10% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$51,820

+3% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

42.6 yr

+2.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

67.3%

65.5%

+1.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

34.0%

+1.8 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

20.1 min

+3.7 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

245.4

+164% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

1,065.4

2,043.9

+92% in Hilo, HI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.6°F

73.9°F

+22.3°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

126.7 in

+79.5 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)

29.2

52.7

+80% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$66.84

+160% 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)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / HI)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

11.00%

+5.0 pp in HI

Cranston vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Hilo?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Hilo?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).