Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Hilo?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Hilo?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 17% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,180

+29% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$964

+32% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,283

+23% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,587

+15% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$455,100

+25% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$78,713

+17% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$51,820

+27% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

42.6 yr

+5.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

59.2%

65.5%

+6.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

34.0%

+7.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

20.1 min

+10.0 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

245.4

+40% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,043.9

+20% 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

52.1°F

73.9°F

+21.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

—

126.7 in

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)

21.8

52.0

+139% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$70.84

+274% 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 Frederick, MD

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 (MD / HI)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

11.00%

+4.5 pp in HI

Frederick vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Hilo?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Hilo?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).