Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Warwick?

Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Warwick?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Warwick?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Warwick, RI is roughly 10% 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 $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 10% higher in Warwick, RI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$923

+22% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,085

+13% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,629

+27% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,569

+1% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$322,000

+29% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$87,536

+11% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$53,680

+4% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

44.6 yr

+2.0 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

65.5%

73.4%

+7.9 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

33.2%

+0.8 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

20.1 min

25.0 min

+4.9 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

79.5

+68% in Hilo, HI

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,149.5

+44% 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

51.6°F

+22.3°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

47.2 in

+79.5 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

29.2

+45% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$25.75

+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 Warwick, RI

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 / RI)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

5.99%

+5.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Warwick?: Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Warwick?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).