Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Seattle?

Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Seattle?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Seattle?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Hilo, HI is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 35% higher in Seattle, WA. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,638

+39% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,858

+93% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$2,359

+84% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$2,918

+84% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$912,100

+100% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$121,984

+55% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$72,610

+40% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

35.5 yr

+7.1 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

44.2%

+21.3 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

67.5%

+33.5 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

20.1 min

26.6 min

+6.5 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

788.6

+221% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,043.9

5,108.8

+150% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+20.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

37.7 in

+89.0 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.31/gal

+4% in Seattle, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

14.9

+71% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$20.41

+71% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (HI / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

None

+11.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Seattle?: Hilo, HI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Seattle?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).