Living Cost Compare
Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

vs
Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,550/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 $1,550 in Virginia Beach, VA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $78,713 in Hilo, HI and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 13% higher in Virginia Beach, VA. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI
Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio
$1,180
$1,496
+27% in Virginia Beach, VA
1 Bedroom
$964
$1,357
+41% in Virginia Beach, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,283
$1,559
+22% in Virginia Beach, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,587
$1,857
+17% in Virginia Beach, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$455,100
$366,300
+20% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income
$78,713
$90,685
+15% in Virginia Beach, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,430
+5% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
42.6 yr
37.4 yr
+5.2 yr in Hilo, HI
Homeownership
65.5%
64.9%
+0.6 pp in Hilo, HI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
40.4%
+6.4 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Avg Commute
20.1 min
23.2 min
+3.1 min in Virginia Beach, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
245.4
96.9
+61% in Hilo, HI
Property Crime
2,043.9
1,664.9
+19% 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
59.9°F
+14.0°F in Hilo, HI
Annual Precipitation
126.7 in
44.3 in
+82.4 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.09/gal
$3.86/gal
+24% in Hilo, HI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HRT (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
52.0
17.6
+66% in Hilo, HI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$70.84
$23.66
+67% 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 Virginia Beach, VA
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 / VA)
4%
5.3%
+1.3 pp in VA
Income Tax (top rate)
11.00%
5.75%
+5.3 pp in HI

Hilo vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Virginia Beach?
They're close. Hilo, HI runs about $1,550 a month and Virginia Beach, VA about $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hilo than in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Virginia Beach?
Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).