Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Nashville?

Nashville, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $53,000 in Nashville.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Nashville?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashville under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Nashville Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Nashville

Tennessee

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Nashville, TN. Overall, Nashville, TN is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $75,197 in Nashville, TN — about 4% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Nashville, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,341

+14% in Nashville, TN

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,336

+39% in Nashville, TN

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,478

+15% in Nashville, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,832

+15% in Nashville, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$383,100

+16% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$75,197

+4% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$50,390

+3% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.4 yr

+8.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

53.0%

+12.5 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

46.9%

+12.9 pp in Nashville, TN

Avg Commute

20.1 min

24.9 min

+4.8 min in Nashville, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

1,178.7

+380% in Nashville, TN

Property Crime

2,043.9

4,558.5

+123% in Nashville, TN

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

59.4°F

+14.5°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

47.3 in

+79.5 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)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs WeGo Public Transit (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

14.5

+72% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$16.83

+76% 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 Nashville, TN

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 / TN)

+3.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Nashville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Nashville?: Nashville, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Nashville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $53,000 in Nashville.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Nashville?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Nashville under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).