Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% 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 Newark?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $39,000 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 New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 22% 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 $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 38% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,111

+6% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$978

+1% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,386

+8% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,695

+7% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$337,800

+26% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$48,416

+38% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$61,430

+19% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.8 yr

+7.8 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

24.1%

+41.4 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

17.4%

+16.6 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

33.2 min

+13.1 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

582.5

+137% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,961.8

+4% 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

46.3 in

+80.5 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.86/gal

+24% in Hilo, HI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

23.3

+55% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$15.93

+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

$1.92

+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 Newark, NJ

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 / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

10.75%

+0.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% 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 Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $39,000 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 New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).