Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,550 in Hilo, HI versus $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 25% 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 $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 41% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs New York.
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Hilo vs Rochester — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rochester?
- Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).