Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Hilo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Hilo?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/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 $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 16% higher in Hilo, HI. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,180

+76% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$804

$964

+20% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,283

+34% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,587

+16% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$455,100

+69% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$78,713

+19% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$51,820

+2% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

42.6 yr

+10.4 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

44.1%

65.5%

+21.4 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

34.0%

+9.2 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

20.1 min

+4.3 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

245.4

+51% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

2,043.9

+45% in Fargo, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

42.4°F

73.9°F

+31.5°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

126.7 in

+104.1 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Hilo, HI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

52.0

+282% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$70.84

+522% 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 Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

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 (ND / HI)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

11.00%

+8.5 pp in HI

Fargo vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Hilo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Hilo?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).