Hilo, HI vs Kihei, HI

The cost of living difference between Hilo, HI and Kihei, HI is dramatic. Hilo is 31.5% cheaper than Kihei, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hilo has a cost index of 117 while Kihei sits at 170, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hilo is $1,347/month compared to $2,021/month in Kihei — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hilo is more affordable at $455,100 median vs $871,600.

Median household income in Hilo is $78,713 compared to $87,568 in Kihei (-10.1%). Kihei does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hilo spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, less than the 27.7% in Kihei.