Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Hilo?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Hilo?

Grand Forks 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).

Grand Forks vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/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 $920 in Grand Forks, ND versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 19% 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.

Grand Forks, ND

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,180

+51% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$761

$964

+27% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,283

+35% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,587

+16% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$455,100

+87% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$78,713

+23% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$51,820

+4% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

42.6 yr

+13.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

46.5%

65.5%

+19.0 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

34.0%

+5.2 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

20.1 min

+5.3 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

245.4

+32% in Grand Forks, ND

Property Crime

2,290.6

2,043.9

+11% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

40.0°F

73.9°F

+33.9°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

126.7 in

+105.9 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Hilo, HI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

52.7

+273% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$66.84

+267% 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 Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, 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

Grand Forks vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Hilo?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Hilo?: Grand Forks 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).