Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Newark?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $56,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Newark?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Hilo vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 9% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Newark, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,649

+40% in Newark, DE

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,391

+44% in Newark, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,513

+18% in Newark, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,916

+21% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$357,600

+21% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$71,373

+9% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$54,310

+5% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

22.0 yr

+20.6 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

50.3%

+15.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

57.5%

+23.5 pp in Newark, DE

Avg Commute

20.1 min

19.6 min

+0.5 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

326.3

+33% in Newark, DE

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,024.6

+1% 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

54.9°F

+19.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

43.1 in

+83.6 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

19.3

+63% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$29.73

+56% 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 Newark, DE

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 / DE)

None

+4.0 pp in HI

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

6.60%

+4.4 pp in HI

Hilo vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Newark?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Newark?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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).