Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Overland Park?

Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% 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 Overland Park?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $49,000 in Overland Park.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Overland Park?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 9% 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 $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 24% higher in Overland Park, KS. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,270

+8% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,224

+27% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,589

+24% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,828

+15% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$384,400

+16% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$103,838

+32% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$50,820

+2% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

38.6 yr

+4.0 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

61.5%

+4.0 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

62.9%

+28.9 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

20.1 min

19.9 min

+0.2 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

188.4

+23% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,790.5

+12% 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

55.2°F

+18.7°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

40.0 in

+86.7 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

15.7

+70% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$25.12

+62% 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 Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Overland Park, KS

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 / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

5.58%

+5.4 pp in HI

Hilo vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Overland Park?: Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% 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 Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Overland Park?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).