Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% 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 Morgantown?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Morgantown?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/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 $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 39% 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 $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 46% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$836

+29% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$770

+20% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$969

+24% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,038

+35% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$238,200

+48% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$42,245

+46% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$47,350

+9% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

24.0 yr

+18.6 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

44.3%

+21.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

58.1%

+24.1 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

20.1 min

17.3 min

+2.8 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

216.3

+12% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,976.4

+3% 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

53.0°F

+20.9°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

41.8 in

+84.9 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

15.4

+71% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$24.68

+63% 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 Morgantown, WV

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 / WV)

+2.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

4.82%

+6.2 pp in HI

Hilo vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% 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 Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Morgantown?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).