Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% 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 Shreveport?

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 Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Shreveport?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 35% 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 $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 38% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$756

+36% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$843

+13% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$978

+24% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,136

+28% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$178,100

+61% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$48,465

+38% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$44,820

+14% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

37.5 yr

+5.1 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

53.8%

+11.7 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

27.5%

+6.5 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

19.0 min

+1.1 min in Hilo, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

1,235.4

+403% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

2,043.9

4,048.2

+98% in Shreveport, LA

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

65.5°F

+8.4°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

51.0 in

+75.8 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.62/gal

+29% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.0

14.2

+73% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$70.84

$16.62

+77% 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 Shreveport, LA

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 / LA)

+1.0 pp in LA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

3.00%

+8.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% 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 Shreveport?: 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 Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Shreveport?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 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).