Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% 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 Jacksonville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $46,000 in Jacksonville.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Jacksonville?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Jacksonville Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Jacksonville

Florida

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Jacksonville, FL. Overall, Jacksonville, FL is roughly 15% 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 $66,981 in Jacksonville, FL — about 15% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Jacksonville, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,127

+4% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,146

+19% in Jacksonville, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,385

+8% in Jacksonville, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,545

+3% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$266,100

+42% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$66,981

+15% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$48,830

+6% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

36.4 yr

+6.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

57.4%

+8.1 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

31.8%

+2.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

24.1 min

+4.0 min in Jacksonville, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

558.4

+128% in Jacksonville, FL

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,600.1

+27% in Jacksonville, FL

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

70.2°F

+3.7°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

49.2 in

+77.5 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.77/gal

+26% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

15.2

+71% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$23.62

+67% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Hilo, HI

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jacksonville, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Hilo, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Hilo, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / FL)

+2.0 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Jacksonville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Jacksonville?: Jacksonville, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% 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 Jacksonville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $46,000 in Jacksonville.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Jacksonville?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).