Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Madison?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% 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 Madison?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Madison?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 9% 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 $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 2% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,018

+14% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,219

+26% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,432

+12% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,766

+11% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$346,900

+24% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$76,983

+2% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$58,080

+12% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

31.8 yr

+10.8 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

46.6%

+18.9 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

59.2%

+25.2 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

19.4 min

+0.7 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

259.5

+6% in Madison, WI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,884.5

+8% 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

46.5°F

+27.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

34.5 in

+92.2 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).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

19.7

+62% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$11.79

+83% 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 Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Madison, WI

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 / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

7.65%

+3.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Madison?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% 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 Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Madison?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).