Living Cost Compare
Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 32% 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 $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 15% 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
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$1,180
$795
+33% in Hilo, HI
1 Bedroom
$964
$882
+9% in Hilo, HI
2 Bedroom
$1,283
$1,085
+15% in Hilo, HI
3 Bedroom
$1,587
$1,356
+15% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$455,100
$215,100
+53% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income
$78,713
$66,702
+15% in Hilo, HI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$47,230
+9% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
42.6 yr
35.0 yr
+7.6 yr in Hilo, HI
Homeownership
65.5%
59.1%
+6.4 pp in Hilo, HI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
34.0%
about equal
Avg Commute
20.1 min
22.2 min
+2.1 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
245.4
685.9
+180% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
2,043.9
2,929.1
+43% in Oklahoma City, 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).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs EMBARK (2026).

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 Oklahoma City, 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%
4.5%
+0.5 pp in OK
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
4.50%
+6.5 pp in HI

Hilo vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% 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 Oklahoma City?
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 Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Oklahoma City?
Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Oklahoma City 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).