Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Hilo?

Green Bay, WI 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 Green Bay than in Hilo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Hilo?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).

Green Bay vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$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 Green Bay, WI versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 21% higher in Hilo, HI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,180

+67% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$730

$964

+32% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,283

+34% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,587

+23% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$455,100

+138% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$78,713

+26% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$51,820

+4% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

42.6 yr

+6.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

55.9%

65.5%

+9.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

34.0%

+8.5 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

18.9 min

20.1 min

+1.2 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

245.4

+51% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

2,043.9

+54% 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

44.3°F

73.9°F

+29.6°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

126.7 in

+97.2 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)

19.7

52.0

+163% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$70.84

+501% 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 Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

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 (WI / HI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

11.00%

+3.3 pp in HI

Green Bay vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Hilo?: Green Bay, WI 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 Green Bay than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Hilo?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).