Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Hilo?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Hilo?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Dover vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 26% higher in Hilo, HI. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,180

+19% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$964

+8% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,283

+8% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,587

+3% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$455,100

+83% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$78,713

+35% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$51,820

+11% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

42.6 yr

+7.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

47.0%

65.5%

+18.5 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

34.0%

+6.9 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

24.0 min

20.1 min

+3.9 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

245.4

+76% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

2,043.9

+67% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

73.9°F

+17.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

126.7 in

+80.7 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)

19.3

52.7

+173% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$66.84

+125% 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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / HI)

None

+4.0 pp in HI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

11.00%

+4.4 pp in HI

Dover vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Hilo?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Hilo?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).