Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Norfolk?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% 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 Norfolk?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Norfolk?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 21% 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 $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 19% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,102

+7% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,032

+7% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,214

+5% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,602

+1% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$271,900

+40% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$64,017

+19% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,430

+5% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

32.4 yr

+10.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

45.7%

+19.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

32.7%

+1.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

22.9 min

+2.8 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

479.5

+95% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

2,043.9

3,800.7

+86% in Norfolk, VA

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

61.3°F

+12.6°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

44.8 in

+82.0 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

17.6

+66% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$23.66

+67% 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 Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

5.3%

+1.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

5.75%

+5.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Norfolk?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% 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 Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Norfolk?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).