Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Naperville?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Naperville?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/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 $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 48% higher in Naperville, IL. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,713

+45% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,594

+65% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,889

+47% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$2,446

+54% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$509,900

+12% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$150,937

+92% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$54,720

+6% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

40.1 yr

+2.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

74.3%

+8.8 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

71.7%

+37.7 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

20.1 min

31.4 min

+11.3 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

85.7

+65% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

892.2

+56% 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

49.9°F

+24.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

36.9 in

+89.8 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

23.9

+54% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$15.39

+78% 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 Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Naperville, IL

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 / IL)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

4.95%

+6.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Naperville?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Naperville?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).