Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% 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 Milwaukee?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Milwaukee?

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

Hilo vs Milwaukee Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 33% 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 $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 34% 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

Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$841

+29% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$849

+12% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,031

+20% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,193

+25% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$172,000

+62% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$51,888

+34% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$51,160

+1% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

32.2 yr

+10.4 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

41.5%

+24.0 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

26.6%

+7.4 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

22.4 min

+2.3 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

1,452.3

+492% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,772.2

+36% in Milwaukee, WI

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

47.9°F

+26.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

34.8 in

+92.0 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)

—

$2.25

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

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 Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Milwaukee?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% 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 Milwaukee?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Milwaukee?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Milwaukee 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).