Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% 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 Memphis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Memphis?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 28% 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 $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 35% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$877

+26% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$948

+2% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,073

+16% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,281

+19% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$157,100

+65% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$51,211

+35% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$46,890

+10% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.3 yr

+8.3 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

46.0%

+19.5 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

28.2%

+5.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

21.3 min

+1.2 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

2,507.6

+922% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,043.9

6,966.3

+241% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+10.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

53.7 in

+73.0 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).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

14.5

+72% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$16.83

+76% 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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+3.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% 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 Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Memphis?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).