Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% 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 Norman?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Norman?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 34% 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 $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 17% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$820

+31% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$863

+10% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,056

+18% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,377

+13% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$239,300

+47% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$65,060

+17% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$47,230

+9% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

31.6 yr

+11.0 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

52.7%

+12.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

46.2%

+12.2 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

20.1 min

22.2 min

+2.1 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

268.6

+9% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,294.1

+12% in Norman, OK

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

61.5°F

+12.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

36.5 in

+90.2 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).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

13.4

+74% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$27.15

+62% 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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

4.50%

+6.5 pp in HI

Hilo vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% 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 Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Norman?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).