Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Nashua?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Nashua?

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

Hilo vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Nashua

New Hampshire

$1,660/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 $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 15% higher in Nashua, NH. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,127

+4% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,383

+43% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,699

+32% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,951

+23% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$373,100

+18% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$92,457

+17% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$56,530

+9% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

39.7 yr

+2.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

56.4%

+9.1 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

40.5%

+6.5 pp in Nashua, NH

Avg Commute

20.1 min

25.3 min

+5.2 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

164.9

+33% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,269

+38% 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

49.2°F

+24.7°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

44.6 in

+82.1 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

27.0

+49% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$21.67

+68% 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

$1.92

+6% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in HI

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Nashua?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Nashua?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).