Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% 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 Rutland?

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 Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rutland?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 28% 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 $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 30% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$893

+24% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$856

+11% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,097

+14% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,207

+24% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$176,400

+61% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$55,000

+30% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

48.5 yr

+5.9 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

65.5%

52.7%

+12.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

32.2%

+1.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

14.7 min

+5.4 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

487.8

+99% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

2,043.9

3,973.3

+94% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+29.3°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

40.5 in

+86.3 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

24.4

+54% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$26.07

+61% 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 Rutland, VT

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 / VT)

+2.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

8.75%

+2.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% 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 Rutland?: 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 Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Rutland?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).