Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% 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 Rapid City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rapid City?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/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 $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 37% 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 $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 17% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$533

+55% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$807

+16% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,156

+10% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,260

+21% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$270,000

+41% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$65,712

+17% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$46,270

+11% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

39.0 yr

+3.6 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

61.6%

+3.9 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

36.4%

+2.4 pp in Rapid City, SD

Avg Commute

20.1 min

17.4 min

+2.7 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

718.9

+193% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

2,043.9

3,795.8

+86% in Rapid City, SD

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

47.1°F

+26.8°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

16.3 in

+110.4 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

15.4

+71% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$15.26

+77% 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 Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Rapid City, SD

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 / SD)

4.2%

+0.2 pp in SD

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% 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 Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rapid City?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).