Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Omaha?

Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% 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 Omaha?

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 Omaha.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Omaha?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Omaha Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Omaha

Nebraska

$1,130/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 $1,130 in Omaha, NE. Overall, Omaha, NE is roughly 27% 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 $72,708 in Omaha, NE — about 8% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Omaha, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$908

+23% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$984

+2% in Omaha, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,193

+7% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,437

+9% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$230,100

+49% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$72,708

+8% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,660

+4% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

35.3 yr

+7.3 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

57.7%

+7.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

40.3%

+6.3 pp in Omaha, NE

Avg Commute

20.1 min

19.6 min

+0.5 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

359

+46% in Omaha, NE

Property Crime

2,043.9

3,153.5

+54% in Omaha, NE

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

51.1°F

+22.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

30.6 in

+96.1 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)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Metro Transit (Omaha) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

13.6

+74% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$15.53

+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

$1.66

+19% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Omaha, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Omaha, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Hilo, HI

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

4.55%

+6.5 pp in HI

Hilo vs Omaha — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Omaha?: Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% 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 Omaha?: 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 Omaha.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Omaha?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).