Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Philadelphia?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$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 Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA 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 $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 23% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,126

+5% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,189

+23% in Philadelphia, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,394

+9% in Philadelphia, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,406

+11% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$232,400

+49% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$60,698

+23% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$54,310

+5% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

35.1 yr

+7.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

52.3%

+13.2 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

34.6%

+0.6 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Avg Commute

20.1 min

32.0 min

+11.9 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

917.1

+274% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

2,043.9

4,615.3

+126% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+16.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

48.5 in

+78.2 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).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

21.6

+59% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$19.17

+73% 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

$1.92

+6% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / PA)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

3.07%

+7.9 pp in HI

Hilo vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Philadelphia?: Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Philadelphia?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).