Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Worcester?

Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% 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 Worcester?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Worcester?

Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Hilo vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Worcester, MA is roughly 14% 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 $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 14% higher in Hilo, HI. Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Hilo, HI

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,180

$1,087

+8% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$964

$1,028

+7% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,283

$1,476

+15% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,587

$1,675

+6% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$455,100

$339,500

+25% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$78,713

$67,544

+14% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$57,830

+12% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

34.1 yr

+8.5 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

65.5%

42.4%

+23.1 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.0%

34.1%

+0.1 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

20.1 min

25.1 min

+5.0 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

245.4

640.2

+161% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

2,043.9

1,580.3

+23% 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

47.9°F

+26.0°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

126.7 in

48.1 in

+78.7 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$4.07/gal

+22% in Hilo, HI

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

52.7

29.6

+44% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$66.84

$30.66

+54% 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 Worcester, MA

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 / MA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

11.00%

9.00%

+2.0 pp in HI

Hilo vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or Worcester?: Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% 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 Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Hilo versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Hilo or Worcester?: Hilo is taxed under Hawaii's rules (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).