Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Jersey City?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Jersey City, NJ's $2,100, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $74,000 in Jersey City.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Jersey City?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Jersey City under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Jersey City Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Jersey City

New Jersey

$2,100/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 $2,100 in Jersey City, NJ. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jersey City, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $94,813 in Jersey City, NJ — about 17% higher in Jersey City, NJ. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Jersey City, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,949

+65% in Jersey City, NJ

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,853

+92% in Jersey City, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,857

+45% in Jersey City, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$2,004

+26% in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$534,500

+17% in Jersey City, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$94,813

+20% in Jersey City, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$61,430

+19% in Jersey City, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.7 yr

+7.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

28.8%

+36.7 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

53.1%

+19.1 pp in Jersey City, NJ

Avg Commute

20.1 min

36.9 min

+16.8 min in Jersey City, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

562.9

+129% in Jersey City, NJ

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,036.4

+0% 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

73.9°F

55.0°F

+18.9°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

49.9 in

+76.8 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

24.9

+53% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$17.68

+74% 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

$1.92

+6% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Jersey City, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

10.75%

+0.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Jersey City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Jersey City?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Jersey City, NJ's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Jersey City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $74,000 in Jersey City.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Jersey City?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Jersey City under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).