Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Richmond?

Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Richmond?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 10% 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 $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 20% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,183

+0% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,195

+24% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,374

+7% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,447

+9% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$328,100

+28% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$62,671

+20% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$51,460

+1% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.5 yr

+8.1 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

43.5%

+22.0 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

44.1%

+10.1 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

20.1 min

22.1 min

+2.0 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

349

+42% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

2,043.9

3,240.2

+59% in Richmond, VA

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

58.9°F

+15.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

43.6 in

+83.1 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

17.6

+66% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$23.66

+67% in Hilo, HI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Hilo, HI

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Hilo, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Hilo, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / VA)

5.3%

+1.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

5.75%

+5.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Richmond?: Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Richmond?: 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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Richmond?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).