Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Hilo?

Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Hilo?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/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 $990 in Fayetteville, AR versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 25% higher in Hilo, HI. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$709

$1,180

+66% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$817

$964

+18% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$999

$1,283

+28% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$1,587

+11% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$455,100

+41% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$78,713

+33% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$51,820

+11% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

42.6 yr

+13.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

41.9%

65.5%

+23.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

34.0%

+15.8 pp in Fayetteville, AR

Avg Commute

18.2 min

20.1 min

+1.9 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

245.4

+43% in Fayetteville, AR

Property Crime

2,392.2

2,043.9

+15% in Fayetteville, AR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

73.9°F

+16.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

126.7 in

+78.2 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.21/gal

+44% in Hilo, HI

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

52.7

+273% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$66.84

+140% 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 Fayetteville, AR

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 (AR / HI)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

11.00%

+7.1 pp in HI

Fayetteville vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Hilo?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Hilo?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).