Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% 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 Pittsburgh?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Pittsburgh?

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

Hilo vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 16% 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 $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 19% 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

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,109

+6% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,079

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,269

+1% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,450

+9% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$193,200

+58% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$64,137

+19% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,650

+4% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

33.5 yr

+9.1 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

47.2%

+18.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

47.8%

+13.8 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

20.1 min

23.1 min

+3.0 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

436

+78% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

2,043.9

2,315.7

+13% in Pittsburgh, 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

51.8°F

+22.1°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

39.3 in

+87.4 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).

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 Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Pittsburgh?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% 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 Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Pittsburgh?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Pittsburgh 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).