Living Cost Compare
Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

vs
Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/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 $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 39% 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 $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 30% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI
Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio
$1,180
$597
+49% in Hilo, HI
1 Bedroom
$964
$793
+18% in Hilo, HI
2 Bedroom
$1,283
$888
+31% in Hilo, HI
3 Bedroom
$1,587
$1,177
+26% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$455,100
$217,400
+52% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income
$78,713
$55,176
+30% in Hilo, HI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$42,070
+19% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
42.6 yr
32.7 yr
+9.9 yr in Hilo, HI
Homeownership
65.5%
55.6%
+9.9 pp in Hilo, HI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
37.3%
+3.3 pp in Las Cruces, NM
Avg Commute
20.1 min
18.7 min
+1.4 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
245.4
726
+196% in Las Cruces, NM
Property Crime
2,043.9
4,899.2
+140% in Las Cruces, NM

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
58.8°F
+15.1°F in Hilo, HI
Annual Precipitation
126.7 in
—

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.09/gal
$3.62/gal
+29% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
52.0
14.1
+73% in Hilo, HI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$70.84
$11.90
+83% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / NM)
4%
4.875%
+0.9 pp in NM
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
5.90%
+5.1 pp in HI

Hilo vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Las Cruces?
Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% 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 Las Cruces?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Las Cruces?
Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Las Cruces under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).