Hilo, HI vs Waipahu, HI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hilo is 25% cheaper than Waipahu. With a cost index of 117 vs 156, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hilo to Waipahu should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hilo is $1,347/month compared to $1,585/month in Waipahu — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hilo is more affordable at $455,100 median vs $835,400.

Median household income in Hilo is $78,713 compared to $98,633 in Waipahu (-20.2%). The higher salaries in Waipahu partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hilo spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in Waipahu.