Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,550 in Hilo, HI versus $1,070 in Lexington, KY. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 31% 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 $67,631 in Lexington, KY — about 14% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Hilo vs Lexington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Lexington?
- Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% 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 Lexington?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $35,000 in Lexington.
- Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Lexington?
- Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Lexington under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).