Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Meridian?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Meridian?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 20% higher in Meridian, ID. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,523

+29% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,540

+60% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,489

+16% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,893

+19% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$485,000

+7% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$98,686

+25% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,100

+5% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

37.4 yr

+5.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

76.1%

+10.6 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

44.4%

+10.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

20.1 min

22.3 min

+2.2 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

150.3

+39% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

583.5

+71% 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

52.5°F

+21.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

11.7 in

+115.0 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

14.4

+73% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$11.33

+83% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

5.30%

+5.7 pp in HI

Hilo vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Meridian?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Meridian?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).