Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% 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 Rochester?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rochester?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 17% 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 $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 10% higher in Rochester, MN. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,080

+8% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,106

+15% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,243

+3% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,646

+4% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$287,500

+37% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$87,767

+12% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$60,620

+17% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

36.4 yr

+6.2 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

65.4%

+0.1 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

50.1%

+16.1 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

20.1 min

17.2 min

+2.9 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

158.9

+35% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,379

+33% 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

45.4°F

+28.5°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

33.0 in

+93.7 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.95/gal

+22% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

16.9

+67% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$14.95

+79% 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 Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Rochester, MN

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 / MN)

6.875%

+2.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

9.85%

+1.2 pp in HI

Hilo vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% 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 Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rochester?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).