Living Cost Compare
Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,550 in Hilo, HI versus $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 20% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,180
$933
+21% in Hilo, HI
1 Bedroom
$964
$963
+0% in Hilo, HI
2 Bedroom
$1,283
$1,132
+12% in Hilo, HI
3 Bedroom
$1,587
$1,304
+18% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$455,100
$207,000
+55% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income
$78,713
$62,995
+20% in Hilo, HI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,340
+5% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
42.6 yr
34.1 yr
+8.5 yr in Hilo, HI
Homeownership
65.5%
55.3%
+10.2 pp in Hilo, HI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
34.2%
+0.2 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
20.1 min
24.3 min
+4.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
245.4
936.6
+282% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
2,043.9
3,351.7
+64% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
73.9°F
53.2°F
+20.7°F in Hilo, HI
Annual Precipitation
126.7 in
42.4 in
+84.3 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.09/gal
$3.94/gal
+23% in Hilo, HI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs IndyGo (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
52.0
18.1
+65% in Hilo, HI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$70.84
$13.70
+81% in Hilo, HI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Hilo, HI
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Hilo, HI
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Hilo, HI
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Hilo, HI

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / IN)
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
2.95%
+8.1 pp in HI

Hilo vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Indianapolis?
Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).